AUTHOR=Gao Hongyang , Huang Xi , Lin Pengfei , Hu Yuqing , Zheng Ziqi , Yang Quan 

TITLE=Transcriptome-associated metabolomics reveals the molecular mechanism of flavonoid biosynthesis in Desmodium styracifolium (Osbeck.) Merr under abiotic stress

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1431148

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1431148

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>The primary pharmacological components of <italic>Desmodium styracifolium</italic> (Osbeck.) Merr. are flavonoids, which have a broad range of pharmacological effects and are important in many applications. However, there have been few reports on the molecular mechanisms underlying flavonoid biosynthesis in the pharmacodynamic constituents of <italic>D. styracifolium</italic>. Flavonoid biosynthesis in <italic>D. styracifolium</italic> pharmacodynamic constituents has, however, been rarely studied. In this study, we investigated how salt stress, 6-BA (6-Benzylaminopurine) treatment, and PEG 6000-simulated drought stress affect flavonoid accumulation in <italic>D. styracifolium</italic> leaves. We integrated metabolomics and transcriptomic analysis to map the secondary metabolism regulatory network of <italic>D. styracifolium</italic> and identify key transcription factors involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. We then constructed overexpression vectors for the transcription factors and used them to transiently infiltrate <italic>Nicotiana benthamiana</italic> for functional validation. This experiment confirmed that the transcription factor DsMYB60 promotes the production of total flavonoids in <italic>Nicotiana tabacum</italic> L. leaves. This study lays the foundation for studying flavonoid biosynthesis in <italic>D. styracifolium</italic> at the molecular level. Furthermore, this study contributes novel insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis of active ingredients in medicinal plants.</p>