Metabolic profiling and gene expression analysis provides insights into flavonoid and anthocyanin metabolism in poplar.

Poplar, a woody perennial model, is a common and widespread tree genus. We cultivated two red leaf poplar varieties from bud mutation of Populus sp. Linn. '2025' (also known as Zhonglin 2025, L2025 for shot): Populus deltoides varieties with bright red leaves (LHY) and completely red leaves (QHY). After measuring total contents of flavonoid, anthocyanin, chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolites, a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry system was used for the relative quantification of widely targeted metabolites in leaves of three poplar varieties. A total of 210 flavonoid metabolites (89 flavones, 40 flavonols, 25 flavanones, 18 anthocyanins, 16 isoflavones, 7 dihydroflavonols, 7 chalcones, 5 proanthocyanidins and 3 other flavonoid metabolites) were identified. Compared with L2025, 48 and 8 flavonoids were more and less abundant, respectively, in LHY, whereas 51 and 9 flavonoids were more and less abundant in QHY, respectively. On the basis of a comprehensive analysis of the metabolic network, gene expression levels were analyzed by deep sequencing to screen for potential reference genes for the red leaves. Most phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway-involved genes were differentially expressed among the examined varieties. Gene expression analysis also revealed several potential anthocyanin biosynthesis regulators including three MYB genes. The study results provide new insights into poplar flavonoid metabolites and represent the theoretical basis for future studies on leaf coloration in this model tree species.