Journal article
A transcriptomic analysis of ethephon-induced sex reversion of male Cannabis sativa L. reveals changes in expression of floral homeotic genes and a distinct trichome morphology
Journal of experimental botany, Vol.76(18), pp.5401-5418
05/11/2025
PMID: 40590302
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Abstract
Cannabis sativa is a dioecious crop whose agricultural productivity is linked to its sex expression. In a medicinal context, only female flowers produce an abundance of glandular trichomes responsible for producing valuable cannabinoids. Thus, understanding sex-determining factors is vital in Cannabis sativa crop improvement for specific end uses. Although an X/Y sex chromosome system determines sex, manipulating ethylene pathways can alter sex expression.
We used comparative RNA-seq and metabolite analysis on floral tissue to explore the regulation of male-to-female sex reversion and changes in secondary metabolite production induced by the ethylene donor ethephon. Differentially expressed gene analysis revealed significant alterations in class B and E floral homeotic gene homologue expression early in the flowering phase, which pointed to their direct role in forming unisexual flowers in Cannabis. Metabolite analysis indicated a higher proportion of sesquiterpenes and Cannabichromenic acid in the induced female flowers compared to non-induced female flowers. Combined with a morphological comparison of trichomes, the secondary metabolite profiles indicated a preferential development of sessile trichomes via upregulation of a GLABRA1 homologue. This study enhances our understanding of ethylene-driven sex-regulation and its link to secondary metabolite accumulation in Cannabis sativa.
Details
- Title
- A transcriptomic analysis of ethephon-induced sex reversion of male Cannabis sativa L. reveals changes in expression of floral homeotic genes and a distinct trichome morphology
- Creators
- Lennard Garcia-de Heer - Southern Cross UniversityQi Guo - Southern Cross UniversityJos Mieog - Southern Cross UniversityMatthew Nolan - Southern Cross UniversityLei Liu - Southern Cross UniversityNicolas Dimopoulos - Southern Cross UniversityRainer Melzer - University College DublinTobias Kretzschmar - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Journal of experimental botany, Vol.76(18), pp.5401-5418
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Grant note
- This study was funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage project LP210200606. In addition, Lennard Garcia-de Heer received a stipend from Southern Cross University.
The authors would like to acknowledge Andrew Kavasilas for enabling this work as industry partner of LP210200606 and for ensuring that it aligns with industry needs. Work was performed under the SCU's NSW industrial hemp licence (no. 52204).
- Identifiers
- 991013294053902368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2025.
- Academic Unit
- Research Infrastructure and Operations; Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article