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Journal of Tea Science ›› 2022, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (1): 1-17.

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Research Progress on the Biosynthesis of Monomeric and Polymeric Catechins in Camellia sinensis

LIU Yajun1,2, WANG Peiqiang3, JIANG Xiaolan1, ZHUANG Juhua4, GAO Liping1,2,*, XIA Tao1,*   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China;
    2. School of Life Science, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China;
    3. College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China;
    4. College of Tea Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
  • Received:2021-08-11 Revised:2021-09-07 Online:2022-02-15 Published:2022-02-18

Abstract: Catechin compounds, mainly including monomeric catechins and polymericcatechins, are the main components of tea polyphenols in Camellia sinensis and the decisive components of the "taste" of green tea. The synthesis and accumulation of tea catechin compounds have remarkable tissue- and organ- specificity. The leaves mainly biosynthesize monomeric catechins, and roots mainly accumulate polymeric catechins. The downstream enzymes of flavonoid metabolism pathway, leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) and anthocyanin reductase (ANR) are the key enzymes determining the types of catechins. This paper mainly reviewed the research progress on the biosynthesis, accumulation, and transcriptional regulation of catechins in Camellia sinensis, with emphasis on the latest research progress in the function and transcriptional regulation of LAR, ANR and leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase (LODX). Our views on the unsolved problems in catechin synthetic pathway were also proposed.

Key words: catechins, proanthocyanidins, leucoanthocyanidin reductase, anthocyanin reductase, leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase

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