Open AccessDynamic metabolic and transcriptomic profiling of methyl jasmonate‐treated hairy roots reveals synthetic characters and regulators of lignan biosynthesis in Isatis indigotica Fort
Author(s) -
Zhang Lei,
Chen Junfeng,
Zhou Xun,
Chen Xiaofei,
Li Qing,
Tan Hexin,
Dong Xin,
Xiao Ying,
Chen Langdong,
Chen Wansheng
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
plant biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.525
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1467-7652
pISSN - 1467-7644
DOI - 10.1111/pbi.12576
Subject(s) - lignan , biosynthesis , phenylpropanoid , biology , methyl jasmonate , transcriptome , biochemistry , metabolic pathway , jasmonate , gene , gene expression , botany , arabidopsis , mutant
Summary A molecular description of lignan biosynthesis in Isatis indigotica displaying its synthetic characteristics and regulatory mechanism is of great importance for the improvement of the production of this class of active compounds. To discover the potential key catalytic steps and regulatory genes, I. indigotica hairy roots elicited by methyl jasmonate (Me JA ) were used as a source of systematic variation for exploring the metabolic/transcriptional changes and candidate genes that might play key roles in lignan biosynthesis. The reprogramming modulated by Me JA was classified into three distinct phases, referred to as signal responding, transcriptional activation of metabolic pathways and accumulation of metabolites. Candidate genes were pooled according to the three phases and applied to co‐expression network analysis. In total, 17 genes were identified as hub genes. 4 CL 3 was selected to validate its impact on lignan biosynthesis. RNA i of 4 CL 3 resulted in a significant reduction in lignan production. Taken together with its catalytic property, a major route of lignan biosynthesis in I. indigotica was highlighted, which was catalysed by 4 CL 3 via the esterization of caffeic acid. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into lignan biosynthesis as well as potential targets for metabolic engineering in I. indigotica .