The evolutionary origins of the cat attractant nepetalactone in catnip
130 Citations•2020•
Benjamin R. Lichman, Grant T. Godden, John P. Hamilton
Insight is provided into the interplay between enzyme and genome evolution in the origins, loss, and re-emergence of plant chemical diversity in the Nepeta lineage.
Abstract
lineage. We present evidence for a chronology of events that led to the formation of nepetalactone biosynthesis and its metabolic gene cluster. This study provides insights into the interplay between enzyme and genome evolution in the origins, loss, and re-emergence of plant chemical diversity.