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Zhu Z, Chen D, Sun M, Xiao M, Huang P, Ren D, Yang Y, Zhang Z, Zhao Q, Li R. Integrative analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome provides insights into the mechanisms of lignan biosynthesis in Herpetospermum pedunculosum (Cucurbitaceae). BMC Genomics 2024; 25:421. [PMID: 38684979 PMCID: PMC11059704 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10306-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Herpetospermum pedunculosum (Ser.) C. B. Clarke is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that heavily relies on the lignans found in its dried ripe seeds (Herpetospermum caudigerum), which have antioxidant and hepatoprotective functions. However, little is known regarding the lignan biosynthesis in H. pedunculosum. In this study, we used metabolomic (non-targeted UHPLC-MS/MS) and transcriptome (RNA-Seq) analyses to identify key metabolites and genes (both structural and regulatory) associated with lignan production during the green mature (GM) and yellow mature (YM) stages of H. pedunculosum. RESULTS The contents of 26 lignan-related metabolites and the expression of 30 genes involved in the lignan pathway differed considerably between the GM and YM stages; most of them were more highly expressed in YM than in GM. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS confirmed that three Herpetospermum-specific lignans (including herpetrione, herpetotriol, and herpetin) were found in YM, but were not detected in GM. In addition, we proposed a lignan biosynthesis pathway for H. pedunculosum based on the fundamental principles of chemistry and biosynthesis. An integrated study of the transcriptome and metabolome identified several transcription factors, including HpGAF1, HpHSFB3, and HpWOX1, that were highly correlated with the metabolism of lignan compounds during seed ripening. Furthermore, functional validation assays revealed that the enzyme 4-Coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL) catalyzes the synthesis of hydroxycinnamate CoA esters. CONCLUSION These results will deepen our understanding of seed lignan biosynthesis and establish a theoretical basis for molecular breeding of H. pedunculosum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
- Institute for Advanced Study, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
| | - Daihan Chen
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Sun
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
- Institute for Advanced Study, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
| | - Maotao Xiao
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Tibet Rhodiola Pharmaceutical Holding Company, 850000, Lhasa, China
| | - Dongsheng Ren
- Tibet Rhodiola Pharmaceutical Holding Company, 850000, Lhasa, China
| | - Yixi Yang
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China.
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 611137, Chengdu, China.
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China.
| | - Rui Li
- Engineering Research Center of Sichuan-Tibet Traditional Medicinal Plant, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China.
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, 610106, Chengdu, China.
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Singh D, Mittal N, Verma S, Singh A, Siddiqui MH. Applications of some advanced sequencing, analytical, and computational approaches in medicinal plant research: a review. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 51:23. [PMID: 38117315 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09057-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The potential active chemicals found in medicinal plants, which have long been employed as natural medicines, are abundant. Exploring the genes responsible for producing these compounds has given new insights into medicinal plant research. Previously, the authentication of medicinal plants was done via DNA marker sequencing. With the advancement of sequencing technology, several new techniques like next-generation sequencing, single molecule sequencing, and fourth-generation sequencing have emerged. These techniques enshrined the role of molecular approaches for medicinal plants because all the genes involved in the biosynthesis of medicinal compound(s) could be identified through RNA-seq analysis. In several research insights, transcriptome data have also been used for the identification of biosynthesis pathways. miRNAs in several medicinal plants and their role in the biosynthesis pathway as well as regulation of the disease-causing genes were also identified. In several research articles, an in silico study was also found to be effective in identifying the inhibitory effect of medicinal plant-based compounds against virus' gene(s). The use of advanced analytical methods like spectroscopy and chromatography in metabolite proofing of secondary metabolites has also been reported in several recent research findings. Furthermore, advancement in molecular and analytic methods will give new insight into studying the traditionally important medicinal plants that are still unexplored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhananjay Singh
- Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226026, India
| | - Nishu Mittal
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, 225003, India
| | - Swati Verma
- College of Horticulture and Forestry Thunag, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173230, India
| | - Anjali Singh
- Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, 225003, India
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