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Article|02 Sep 2025|OPEN
Integrated genomic and DNA methylome analyses reveal epigenetic regulation of stevia glycoside biosynthesis in Stevia rebaudiana
Genxiang Bai1 ,† , Chengcai Xia2,3 ,† , Zihao Wang2,3 , Zhiqiang Xia2,3 , , Ming Luo,1,4 ,
1State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
2School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, Hainan 572025, China
3School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Sanya, Hainan 572025, China
4University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
*Corresponding author. E-mail: zqxia@hainanu.edu.cn,luoming@scbg.ac.cn
†Both authors contributed equally to the study.

Horticulture Research 13,
Article number: uhaf226 (2026)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhaf226
Views: 61

Received: 26 Apr 2024
Accepted: 18 Aug 2025
Published online: 02 Sep 2025

Abstract

Stevia rebaudiana, a member of the Asteraceae family, is a sugar-yielding plant abundant in stevia glycosides (SGs), which are extensively applied in sweeteners and pharmaceuticals. Although DNA methylation has been implicated in the regulation of specialized metabolite synthesis, its specific involvement in SG metabolism remains insufficiently elucidated. In this study, a chromosome-level genome assembly of S. rebaudiana was generated, including 1436 Mb across 11 chromosomes. DNA methylation profiling indicated that the expression of UDP-glycosyltransferases may be regulated by CG methylation within gene bodies across distinct tissues of S. rebaudiana. In conclusion, this study not only delivers a high-quality reference genome for S. rebaudiana but also provides novel perspectives on the potential regulatory mechanisms by which DNA methylation influences SG biosynthesis.