Wang Yumeng, Zhang Jiaxin, Wang Ping, Li Yongkang, Wang Yihan, Yan Yan, Chi Junwen, Chen Jiankang, Lian Junmei, Piao Xiangmin, Lei Xiujuan, Xiao Ying, Murray Jeremy, Deyholos Micheal K, Wang Yingping, Di Peng, Zhang Jian
State Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Ginseng Breeding and Application, College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and the SHTCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Mar 16;26(6):2669. doi: 10.3390/ijms26062669.
is a globally valued medicinal plant rich in bioactive flavonoids, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying their biosynthesis remain poorly understood. In this study, we integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to investigate tissue-specific flavonoid accumulation and regulatory networks in roots, leaves, and flowers. Metabolomic profiling identified 141 flavonoid metabolites, with flavones, flavonols, and C-glycosylflavones predominantly enriched in aerial tissues (leaves and flowers), while specific glycosides like tricin 7--acetylglucoside showed root-specific accumulation. Transcriptome sequencing revealed 15,551-18,946 DEGs across tissues, and the reliability of the transcriptomic data was validated by qRT-PCR. KEGG and GO annotation analyses suggested that these DEGs may play a crucial role in the biosynthesis and metabolism of secondary metabolites. From the DEGs, UGTs and MYB TFs were identified and subjected to correlation analysis. Functional validation through in vitro enzymatic assays confirmed that catalyzes apigenin and naringenin glycosylation at the 7-OH position. Additionally, subcellular localization and yeast one-hybrid assays demonstrated that and interact with the promoter and activate its expression.. This study unveils the spatial dynamics of flavonoid metabolism in and establishes a MYB-UGT regulatory axis, providing critical insights for metabolic engineering and bioactive compound optimization in medicinal plants.
是一种具有全球价值的药用植物，富含生物活性黄酮类化合物，但其生物合成的分子机制仍知之甚少。在本研究中，我们整合了转录组学和代谢组学分析，以研究根、叶和花中黄酮类化合物的组织特异性积累和调控网络。代谢组学分析鉴定出141种黄酮类代谢物，黄酮、黄酮醇和C-糖基黄酮主要富集于地上组织（叶和花），而诸如小麦黄素7-O-乙酰葡萄糖苷等特定糖苷则表现出根特异性积累。转录组测序揭示了各组织间15,551-18,946个差异表达基因（DEG），并通过qRT-PCR验证了转录组数据的可靠性。KEGG和GO注释分析表明，这些DEG可能在次生代谢物的生物合成和代谢中起关键作用。从这些DEG中，鉴定出尿苷二磷酸葡萄糖糖基转移酶（UGT）和MYB转录因子（TF）并进行相关性分析。通过体外酶促试验进行的功能验证证实，UGT催化芹菜素和柚皮素在7-OH位置的糖基化。此外，亚细胞定位和酵母单杂交试验表明，MYB和UGT与UGT启动子相互作用并激活其表达。本研究揭示了该植物中黄酮类代谢的空间动态，并建立了一个MYB-UGT调控轴，为药用植物的代谢工程和生物活性化合物优化提供了关键见解。
