PRJNA209090
RNA-seq analysis of mature leaf transcriptome of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni), a source of non-caloric sweetener
Stevia [Stevia rebuaidana (Bertoni); family: Asteraceae] is widely grown for its sweet leaves. Stevia yields diterpenoid steviol glycosides, which are about 300 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia plant organs contain different amounts of steviol glycosides, which decline in the following order: Leaves, flower, stems, seeds and roots (Bondarev et al., 2003). Some genes and pathways involved in steviol biosynthesis are already elucidated. Comparison of whole trascriptomes from each of those organs may give us clues into several more genes involved in steviol glycoside production. In this study, we adapted non-targeted approaches to assess differential expression of terpenoid biosynthetic pathway genes and other leaf specific transcripts. This present study is helping us to identify novel genes, which are modulated during steviol glycoside biosynthesis. We may also identify EST-SSR markers, to identify superior S. rebaudiana genotypes and to aid in Stevia breeding program.