Exploring Molecular and Genetic Differences in Angelica biserrata Roots Under Environmental Changes

Area of Science:

• Plant metabolomics and transcriptomics
• Medicinal crop research
• Bioactive compound biosynthesis

Background:

• Angelica biserrata roots show variable coumarin content across different habitats due to intraspecific diversity.
• Understanding coumarin biosynthesis divergence is crucial for optimizing medicinal crop utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the spatial heterogeneity in metabolite profiles and gene expression of A. biserrata roots.
• To identify key environmental drivers and optimal cultivation conditions for coumarin production.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying coumarin biosynthesis divergence in response to habitat variations.

Main Methods:

• Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics data.
• Application of machine learning and Bayesian-optimized deep learning models with climate big data.
• Analysis of gene expression (e.g., PAL-1, PAL-2, BGLU44) and metabolite profiles.
• Identification of environmental variables (e.g., elevation, temperature, solar radiation, precipitation) influencing coumarin content and gene expression.

Main Results:

• Differential regions strongly influenced coumarin content.
• Upstream genes modulated downstream coumarin metabolites.
• Elevation and warmest quarter temperature were key drivers of coumarin variation.
• May solar radiation and precipitation seasonality controlled transcriptomic reprogramming.
• Optimal cultivation conditions were predicted, including specific temperature, precipitation, elevation, solar radiation, and soil organic carbon levels.

Conclusions:

• Habitat-specific environmental factors significantly shape coumarin biosynthesis in Angelica biserrata.
• A theoretical framework for understanding metabolic changes in response to habitat variations was established.
• The findings facilitate the effective utilization of Angelica biserrata for its active constituents.