Diviner's sage (Salvia divinorum) produces salvinorin A (SalA), a hallucinogen that activates the human κ-opioid receptor and may help treat chronic pain, addiction, and PTSD. Only two of the roughly twelve steps in SalA's biosynthesis were known. A high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly was produced, with an N50 of 41.4 Mb and 98.4% BUSCO completeness. The diploid genome is about 541 Mb. Two diterpene biosynthetic gene clusters were found, rich in new cytochrome P450s and crotonolide G synthase, which forms an early dihydrofuran ring. Other enzyme classes for later steps were scattered across the genome. Most candidate genes were not induced by methyl jasmonate. This genome enables discovery of the remaining SalA pathway steps.
A chromosome-level genome assembly of the diviners sage plant, which produces the hallucinogen salvinorin A, has been produced. The genome is about 541 million base pairs, diploid, and comparable to other sage species. Two gene clusters involved in diterpene biosynthesis were identified, including a gene that forms the dihydrofuran ring early in the salvinorin A pathway. Other enzyme classes likely involved in later steps are scattered across the genome. Most of these genes are not activated by methyl jasmonate treatment. This high-quality genome sequence will help uncover the remaining steps in salvinorin A biosynthesis and support exploration of its medical potential for chronic pain, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder.