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Open AccessArticle
Integrated Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Reveal Key Insights into Iridoid Biosynthesis in Gentiana crassicaulis Seeds during Germination
by
Lechen Xuan
Lechen Xuan ,
Hongyang Xiao
Hongyang Xiao ,
Zhili Zhao
Zhili Zhao ,
Jingxian Feng
Jingxian Feng *,
Lianghong Ni
Lianghong Ni * and
Jinrong Wu
Jinrong Wu *
School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Genes 2024, 15(10), 1255; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15101255 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 5 September 2024
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Revised: 24 September 2024
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Accepted: 25 September 2024
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Published: 26 September 2024
Abstract
Background: Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie ex Burk., a key species used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating rheumatic pain and stroke, contains iridoids as its primary active component. However, the biosynthetic mechanisms underlying iridoid production are not fully understood. Methods: This study focused on iridoid biosynthesis during the germination of G. crassicaulis seeds, integrating metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses to uncover the underlying pathways and key candidate genes. Results: 196,132 unigenes and 10 iridoid compounds were identified through RNA-seq and ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometer (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS), respectively. The intersection of results from Pearson correlation analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed a significant correlation between 26 genes and iridoid levels, suggesting their potential role in the iridoid metabolism. Notably, six highly expressed candidate genes (DL7H, SLS, CYP76, CYP72A2, CYP84A1, and 13-LOX3) and five iridoids (loganic acid, sweroside, swertiamarin, gentiopicroside, and 6’-O-β-D-glucosyl-gentiopicroside) responded to methyl jasmonate stimulation in G. crassicaulis seedlings. Conclusions: by combining the known functions of candidate gene families, It is hypothesized that the CYP716 and LOX families exert indirect influences on iridoid metabolism, while the CYP71, CYP81, CYP72, CYP76, CYP710 families, 2OG-FeII family, and the glucosyltransferase family are likely to play direct roles in the biosynthetic transformations of the five iridoids. This study provides a theoretical basis for further functional gene validation and metabolic engineering aimed at enhancing iridoid production. The insights gained could lead to improved iridoid production efficiency in medicinal plants, ultimately benefiting the quality and efficacy of medicinal materials.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Xuan, L.; Xiao, H.; Zhao, Z.; Feng, J.; Ni, L.; Wu, J.
Integrated Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Reveal Key Insights into Iridoid Biosynthesis in Gentiana crassicaulis Seeds during Germination. Genes 2024, 15, 1255.
https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15101255
AMA Style
Xuan L, Xiao H, Zhao Z, Feng J, Ni L, Wu J.
Integrated Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Reveal Key Insights into Iridoid Biosynthesis in Gentiana crassicaulis Seeds during Germination. Genes. 2024; 15(10):1255.
https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15101255
Chicago/Turabian Style
Xuan, Lechen, Hongyang Xiao, Zhili Zhao, Jingxian Feng, Lianghong Ni, and Jinrong Wu.
2024. "Integrated Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Reveal Key Insights into Iridoid Biosynthesis in Gentiana crassicaulis Seeds during Germination" Genes 15, no. 10: 1255.
https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15101255
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