
Theanine, a key quality compound in tea, is primarily synthesized in the roots of tea plants. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis reveals the cell-type-specific mechanisms underlying theanine metabolism, transport, and transcriptional regulation in tea roots.


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Root-synthesized secondary metabolites are critical quality-conferring compounds of foods, plant-derived medicines, and beverages. However, information at a single-cell level on root-specific secondary metabolism remains largely unexplored. L-theanine, an important quality component of tea, is primarily synthesized in roots, from which it is then transported to new tea shoots. In this study, we present a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq)-derived map for the tea root, which enabled cell-type-specific analysis of glutamate and ethylamine (two precursors of theanine biosynthesis) metabolism, and theanine biosynthesis, storage, and transport. Our findings support a model in which the theanine biosynthesis pathway occurs via multicellular compartmentation and does not require high co-expression levels of transcription factors and their target genes within the same cell cluster. This study provides novel insights into theanine metabolism and regulation, at the single-cell level, and offers an example for studying root-specific secondary metabolism in other plant systems.

### Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Root-specific secondary metabolism at the single-cell level: a case study of theanine metabolism and regulation in the roots of tea plants (Camellia sinensis)

cell-specific-insights-into-theanine-metabolism-and-regulation-in-tea-plant-roots-revealed-by-single-cell-rna-sequencing


Cell-Specific Insights into Theanine Metabolism and Regulation in Tea Plant Roots Revealed by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing
