Use of SureSelect NGS Panels for Genotype-to-Chemotype Classification in Cannabis sativa L.

The genome of Cannabis sativa L. is about 900 Mb — 63 percent AT-rich and one-to-two percent polymorphic. Due to its size and repetitive nature, targeted sequencing approaches are desirable. Cannabinoids have been demonstrated to be therapeutic compounds, finding use in epilepsy, cancer, autoimmune disease, and even potentially in COVID-19. Understanding the genetics that govern the expression of these different compounds can assist in directed breeding efforts that maximize synthesis yield. The inheritance of cannabinoid expression in cannabis has been attributed to the Bt:Bd allele first described by De Meijer et al. This locus was further resolved as a copy number variation (CNV) in cannabis whole-genome sequencing studies. THCAS and CBDAS varietals are known to present copy number variation that is predictive of cannabinoid expression. Using SureSelect Target Enrichment Probes, Kevin McKernan and colleagues were able to identify both copy number variations and point mutations that predict the production of non-psychoactive cannabigerolic acid. This cannabinoid has recently been described as a compound that blocks cell entry of SARs-CoV-2.