The genetics of Cannabis – genomic variations of key synthases and their effect on cannabinoids content

Despite being a controversial crop, Cannabis sativa L. has a long history of cultivation throughout the world. Following recent legalisation in Canada, it is emerging as an important plant for both medicinal and recreational purposes. Recent progress in genome sequencing of both cannabis and hemp varieties allows for systematic analysis of genes coding for enzymes involved in the cannabinoid biosynthesis pathway. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding regions of cannabinoid synthases play important role in determining plant chemotype. Deep understanding of how these variants affect enzymes activity and accumulation of cannabinoids will allow breeding of novel cultivars with desirable cannabinoid profile. Here we present a short overview of the major cannabinoid synthases and present the data on the analysis of their genetic variants and their effect on cannabinoid content using several in-house sequenced Cannabis cultivars.