Transcriptome analysis revealing the effect of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd association with endophytic fungi CHS3 on the production of saikosaponin D

Guangjie Liu ¹, Yuanzhen Liu ¹, Zhongmeng Li ¹

⁰Key Laboratory of Basic and Application Research of Beiyao (Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine), Ministry of Education, China.

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July 17, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Co-culturing the endophytic fungus Fusarium acuminatum (CHS3) with its host plant Bupleurum scorzonerifolium increased Saikosaponin D (SSd) production. This suggests an interactive relationship enhances SSd biosynthesis by upregulating key enzyme gene expression.

Area Of Science

Pharmacology
Mycology
Plant-Microbe Interactions

Background

Saikosaponin D (SSd) is a pharmacologically active compound from Bupleurum scorzonerifolium.
Endophytic fungi are potential sources for natural medicine production.
Fusarium acuminatum (CHS3) is an SSd-producing endophytic fungus isolated from B. scorzonerifolium.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the effect of host plant co-culture on SSd production in the endophytic fungus CHS3.
To analyze gene expression changes in CHS3 during co-culture with B. scorzonerifolium suspension cells.

Main Methods

Co-culturing CHS3 with B. scorzonerifolium suspension cells.
Quantifying SSd content using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
Performing transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) and analyzing differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
Validating key gene expression using quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR).

Main Results

SSd content in CHS3 significantly increased after co-culture with B. scorzonerifolium suspension cells.
RNA-Seq analysis revealed 1202 upregulated and 1049 downregulated genes in CHS3 post-co-culture.
Thirty SSd synthesis-related genes and 11 terpene backbone biosynthesis genes were identified.
Expression of key mevalonate pathway enzyme genes (HMGR, HMGCS, GGPS1, MVK, FDFT1, FNTB) was upregulated.

Conclusions

Endophytic fungus CHS3 interacts with its host plant, B. scorzonerifolium.
This interaction promotes SSd biosynthesis and accumulation.
Upregulation of key enzyme genes in the mevalonate pathway is responsible for enhanced SSd production.

Keywords:

Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. Co-culture Endophytic fungi Fusarium acuminatum CHS3 Saikosaponin D Transcriptome