Identification, In Silico Characterization, and Differential Expression Profiles of Carotenoid, Xanthophyll, Apocarotenoid Biosynthetic Pathways Genes, and Analysis of Carotenoid and Xanthophyll Accumulation in Heracleum moellendorffii Hance

Abstract

Heracleum moellendorffii Hance is a non-woody forest plant widely used in China, Korea, and Japan because of its various therapeutic properties. However, the genetic details of the carotenoid pathway (CP), xanthophyll pathway (XP), and apocarotenoid pathway (AP) genes have not been studied. Thus, the CP, XP, and AP genes of H. moellendorffii were detected and analyzed. A total of fifteen genes were identified, of which eight, four, and three belonged to CP, XP, and AP, respectively. All identified genes possessed full open reading frames. Phylogenetic characterization of the identified gene sequences showed the highest similarity with other higher plants. Multiple alignments and 3D dimensional structures showed several diverse conserved motifs, such as the carotene-binding motif, dinucleotide-binding motif, and aspartate or glutamate residues. The results of real-time PCR showed that the CP, XP, and AP genes were highly expressed in leaves, followed by the stems and roots. In total, eight different individual carotenoids were identified using HPLC analysis. The highest individual and total carotenoid content were achieved in the leaves, followed by the stems and roots. This study will provide more information on the gene structure of the CP, XP, and AP genes, which may help to increase the accumulation of carotenoids in H. moellendorffii through genetic engineering. These results could be helpful for further molecular and functional studies of CP, XP, and AP genes.

Metabolic Profiling of Primary and Secondary Metabolites in Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) Sprouts Exposed to Different Light-Emitting Diodes

“…The extract was dried and resuspended in 50:50 ( v / v ) dichloromethane/methanol. HPLC analysis was performed according to the method described by Sathasivam et al [ 79 , 80 ] ( Figure S4 ). The carotenoid contents were calculated according to the HPLC peak areas compared to the internal standard calibration curves.…”

Carotenoid and Tocopherol Profiling in 18 Korean Traditional Green Leafy Vegetables by LC-SIM-MS

“…Only a few GLVs investigated in the present study were previously explored for carotenoid composition and content. Sathasivam et al [ 40 ] also recorded the dominance of lutein and β-carotene in Heracleum moellendorffii leaves, with a total carotenoid content of 1668 µg/g dry weight (DW). In Pimpinella brachycarpa, Yoon et al [ 51 ] recorded 54.5 and 32.3 µg/g FW of lutein and β-carotene, respectively.…”

“…GLVs have abundant phytopigments. Several studies have confirmed the content of α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein, violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and α-tocopherol in a few traditional GLVs [ 15 , 16 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. However, data on carotenoid content and compositions of several traditional GLVs consumed in Korea are still unavailable.…”

Comparative Genomics and Functional Genomics Analysis in Plants

“…Three papers have demonstrated a strong interest in the study of the genomes of plants and their association with some important traits. Sathasivam et al (2022) [ 19 ] discussed the expression mechanism of the carotenoid pathway in Heracleum moellendorffii Hance and analyzed the expression distribution of related genes in different organs, enabling the investigation of strategies that could enhance the anti-carcinogenic properties of H. moellendorffii . Kim et al (2023) [ 20 ] proposed a combined approach based on single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and GWAS analyses and unraveled the genetic basis of complex root traits in soybean, which will provide valuable clues for further genetic research and the breeding of climate-adaptable soybeans with improved root traits.…”