Multiomics analysis reveals candidate genes and pathway involved in isoquinoline alkaloids in Zanthoxylum armatum DC. fruit.

Zanthoxylum armatum DC. fruit is a traditional spicy condiment and medicinal herb, and the prickly ash industry has developed into a pillar industry for specialty agricultural products in many regions of China. As one of the main components of Z. armatum, isoquinoline alkaloids have good biological activity and play an important role in the formation of flavor quality. In this study, we investigated the metabolites and genes involved in the biosynthesis of isoquinoline alkaloids in Z. armatum fruits during three developmental periods. A total of 1167 metabolites and 5204 differentially expressed genes were detected by combining metabolome, SMRT sequencing and Illumina sequencing. The annotation results of KEGG database showed that four metabolites (levodopa, dopamine, tyramine, and magnoflorine) and eight differentially expressed genes were involved in the biosynthesis of isoquinoline alkaloids in Z. armatum fruits. Specifically, metabolites Dopamine and Tyramine decreased with the development of Z. armatum, and the expression of the genes related to their regulation, Zardc00988 and Zardc23209, showed the same trend. This study contributes to our understanding of the biosynthesis and accumulation of Z. armatum isoquinoline alkaloids and provides a reference for the development of the medicinal value of Z. armatum.