Researchers have mapped the chromosome-level, haplotype-resolved genome of Pseudotaxus chienii, resolving a debate over whether the conifer can manufacture the anticancer compound paclitaxel, Nature Communications reported. Pseudotaxus chienii is the only species in the genus Pseudotaxus and is closely related to the genus Taxus.
Each assembled haplotype measures approximately 15.4 gigabases and exhibits high continuity and completeness. Within the genome, the research team identified a structurally conserved but physically dispersed genomic region named the Taxane Biosynthetic Archipelago. This region incorporates three biosynthetic gene clusters alongside collinear core genes essential for taxane biosynthesis.
Experimental tests revealed that the plant's terminal biosynthetic pathway has suffered severe functional degradation. Integrative transcriptomic profiles, metabolite assays, and heterologous enzymatic testing showed that the conifer retains a largely conserved genomic architecture tied to paclitaxel biosynthesis. However, it may have largely lost the functional capacity for paclitaxel production, exhibiting instead a significant accumulation of taxinine J.
The study, received in December 2025 and accepted in August 2026, was led by Huan Wang, Haidong Chen, and Yaping Sun as equal contributors, alongside corresponding authors Jiaming Li and Jianbin Yan. Authors from the Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, South China Agricultural University, Henan University, Tsinghua University, and Shandong Agricultural University declared no competing interests. Grants from the National Key R&D Program of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program, the Beijing Life Science Academy, and the New Cornerstone Science Foundation supported the project.
