AUTHOR=Yu Ma , Chen Hua , Liu Shi-Hang , Li Yu-Chan , Sui Chun , Hou Da-Bin , Wei Jian-He 

TITLE=Differential Expression of Genes Involved in Saikosaponin Biosynthesis Between Bupleurum chinense DC. and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2020.583245

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2020.583245

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>Radix Bupleuri (roots of <italic>Bupleurum</italic> spp.) is an important medicinal herb. Triterpenoid saponins of saikosaponins generally constitute the main class of secondary metabolites of plants in the <italic>Bupleurum</italic> genus. However, the molecular regulatory mechanism underlying their biosynthesis remains elusive. In this study, we observed significantly different saikosaponin biosynthesis between <italic>Bupleurum chinense</italic> and <italic>Bupleurum scorzonerifolium</italic> at the seedling stage. The sequential and expression characterization of 232 genes in the triterpenoid saponin biosynthetic pathway, which includes the mevalonate (MVA) pathway and methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway, between <italic>B. chinense</italic> and <italic>B. scorzonerifolium</italic> was also investigated. Sixty of these genes may be involved in saikosaponin biosynthesis. Manipulation of these genes, especially those of the β-AS, P450, and UGT families, may improve saikosaponin production.</p>