Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveals Candidate Genes and Pathways Involved in Secondary Metabolism in Bergenia purpurascens

Abstract

Bergenia purpurascens is an important medicinal, edible and ornamental plant. The lack of omics information hinders the study of its metabolic pathways and related genes. In order to investigate candidate genes and pathways involved in secondary metabolism in B. purpurascens, roots, stems and leaves of B. purpurascens were subjected to metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses in this study. A total of 351 differentially accumulated secondary metabolites were identified. We identified 111 candidate enzyme genes in phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. 22 candidate key genes related to phenylpropanoid and flavonoid synthesis were obtained by WGCNA analysis, from which 14 structural genes in phenylpropanoid and flavonoid synthesis and five transcription factors related to flavonoid synthesis were identified. This study provides data resources and new insights for further studies on the biosynthesis of major active components in B. purpurascens.