Transcriptomics and metabolomics association analysis revealed the responses of Gynostemma pentaphyllum to cadmium

Abstract

Gynostemma pentaphyllum an important medicinal herb, can absorb high amounts of cadmium (Cd) which can lead to excessive Cd contamination during the production of medicines and tea. Hence, it is crucial to investigate the response mechanism of G. pentaphyllum under Cd stress to develop varieties with low Cd accumulation and high tolerance. Physiological response analysis, transcriptomics and metabolomics were performed on G. pentaphyllum seedlings exposed to Cd stress. Herein, G. pentaphyllum seedlings could significantly enhance antioxidant enzyme activities (POD, CAT and APX), proline and polysaccharide content subject to Cd stress. Transcriptomics analysis identified the secondary metabolites, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and signal transduction pathways associated with Cd stress, which mainly involved the XTH, EXP and GST genes. Metabolomics analysis identified 126 differentially expressed metabolites, including citric acid, flavonoid and amino acids metabolites, which were accumulated under Cd stress. Multi-omics integrative analysis unraveled that the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, starch, and sucrose metabolism, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, and ABC transporter were significantly enriched at the gene and metabolic levels in response to Cd stress in G. pentaphyllum. In conclusion, the genetic regulatory network sheds light on Cd response mechanisms in G. pentaphyllum.

Multi-Omics Elucidates Difference in Accumulation of Bioactive Constituents in Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) under Drought Stress

“…Our previous research showed that salt stress would increase the content of two major active components of licorice, by increasing the expression of the synthetase gene of skeleton compounds and the downstream glycosyltransferase genes [6][7][8]. It is generally believed that many secondary metabolites of traditional Chinese medicine, i.e., active components, accumulate more under abiotic stress [9][10][11]. In addition, licorice species are capable of tolerating drought conditions [12,13] and, correspondingly, drought stress is also an important factor to promote the biochemical composition of licorice by regulating the synthesis genes [14].…”

Deciphering Alkaloid and Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Different Tissues of Sophora tonkinensis via Transcriptomics and Metabolomics

“…The combination of metabolomics and transcriptomics (RNA-seq) has become an effective tool for studying and identifying post-genomic processes and the molecular basis of various plants [15]. The combined analysis of metabolomics and RNA-seq reveals the mechanisms and dynamic changes in the synthesis of diverse plant metabolic compounds, including Mesona chinensis [16], Plumbago zeylanica [17], Bupleurum chinense [18], and Gynostemma pentaphyllum [19].…”