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Integrated Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Provide Key Molecular Insights into Floral Stage-Driven Flavonoid Pathway
Lili Yu1, Naveed Ahmad2, Weijie Meng1
1Engineering Research Center of the Chinese Ministry of Education for Bioreactor and Pharmaceutical Development, College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|November 27, 2024
Summary
Safflower petal flavonoid content changes with flowering. Harvest timing can be optimized by understanding these dynamic shifts and gene expression patterns for medicinal use.
Area of Science:
- Plant biochemistry
- Metabolomics
- Transcriptomics
Background:
- Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a medicinal herb with high flavonoid content.
- Flavonoid profiles in safflower petals change dynamically during flowering.
- Optimizing harvest time is crucial for maximizing medicinal and industrial applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamic changes in safflower petal flavonoid profiles.
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of flavonoid metabolism.
- To provide insights for enhancing safflower utilization.
Main Methods:
- Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of safflower petals at different flowering stages.
- Quantification of key flavonoid metabolites.
- Analysis of gene expression in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway.
Main Results:
- Seven metabolites, including p-coumaric acid, naringenin, apigenin, kaempferol, and quercetin, accumulated during the fading stage.
- Dihydromyricetin and delphinidin levels decreased during the fading stage.
- UV-B stress at full bloom increased flavonoid content and altered gene expression.
Conclusions:
- Flavonoid accumulation in safflower petals is stage-dependent.
- Specific genes (e.g., 4CL, DFR, ANR) are upregulated, while others (e.g., CHI, F3H, FLS) are downregulated during flowering.
- Understanding these mechanisms can optimize safflower's medicinal and industrial applications.
