Haplotype-resolved telomere-to-telomere genome of Phoebe sheareri : Insights into evolution and terpenoid biosynthesis

Abstract

The genus Phoebe (Lauraceae) comprises ecologically and economically valuable trees known for their distinctive aromatic properties, yet genomic resources for this lineage remain scarce, limiting insights into the molecular basis of their specialized metabolism. Here, we present the telomere-to-telomere (T2T) and haplotype-resolved genome assembly for P. sheareri, comprising two haplotypes (948.61 Mb and 976.01 Mb) with high continuity (contig N50 > 62.57 Mb) and completeness (BUSCO > 97.4%). Volatile profiling identified 122 compounds across tissues, with terpenoids as the predominant class (84.43%), and 102 terpene synthase (TPS) genes were phylogenetically classified into four subfamilies. Functional characterization revealed that Psh1TPS20 produces β-elemene, while Psh1TPS40 generates α-copaene, β-caryophyllene, and β-gurjunene. Both β-elemene and β-caryophyllene exhibited no cytotoxicity, with β-elemene significantly reducing nitric oxide (NO) accumulation in a dose-dependent manner-indicating potential anti-inflammatory activity. Notably, β-caryophyllene displayed strong fungicidal effects against wood-decay fungi Gloeophyllum trabeum and Irpex lacteus, causing mycelial collapse and growth inhibition. This high-quality genome provides a foundational resource for Lauraceae genomics and establishes a direct link between genetic variation and bioactive terpenoid production, highlighting the potential of P. sheareri extracts for pharmaceutical development and wood protection applications with relevance to human health and sustainable material preservation.