Untargeted Metabolite Profiling of Camellia tetracocca’s Response to an Empoasca onukii Attack Using GC-MS and LC-MS

Abstract

Camellia tetracocca, a kind of tea with local popularity, is unique to southwest China, where it has an important natural heritage and cultural heritage. However, the tea plant and its sprout are frequently attacked on a large-scale by Empoasca onukii. The metabolic mechanisms of the unique plant for defending against these pest insects are unclear. Therefore, we used untargeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to compare the metabolite profiles between E. onukii-attacked leaves and healthy leaves. Using GC-MS, 56 metabolites (24 up-regulated, 32 down-regulated) were preliminarily identified. Additionally, 576 metabolites (280 up-regulated, 287 down-regulated) were rudimentarily identified with LC-MS. Differentially abundant metabolites were mainly enriched in the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites. Fourteen accumulated specialized metabolites are related to insect resistance. Mainly, momordicin I and arabidopside B are reportedly involved in the resistance to the insect. Therefore, we conjectured that the accumulation of momordicin I and arabidopside B is involved in the C. tetracocca’s resistance to E. onukii. Our results indicate that these specialized metabolites may be served as candidate biocontrol agents against the pest of E. onukii of C. tetracocca located in the State-owned Pubai Forest Farm.

HS-SPEM-GC-MS Analyses of Volatiles and Transcriptome Analysis of Camellia tetracocca in Response to Feeding by Empoasca onukii Matsuda

“…Based on the relative content data of the transcriptome and metabolome [7], the top 20 differential metabolites and differential genes were selected by default, respectively, and the correlation between the expression level of differential genes and the response intensity data of differential metabolites was calculated using the Pearson algorithm.…”

“…In addition, adult females lay their eggs in these young shoots, causing unrecoverable damage [5,6]. C. tetracocca, being planted and consumed locally, is inevitably damaged by E. onukii, thus resulting in a significant reduction in yield or even death of C. tetracocca [7].…”

“…Therefore, in the current study, we compared the differences in C. tetracocca after feeding by E. onukii via HS-SPEM-GC-MS and transcriptome analysis. Moreover, based on previous research [7], we will further explore the defense mechanisms of the transcriptome and metabolome. Our findings will provide an essential basic knowledge for further research and development of prevention and control strategies for E. onukii.…”

Comparative analysis of antioxidant activities and chemical compositions in the extracts of different edible parts from Camellia tetracocca Zhang (C. tetracocca) with two distinct color characteristics

“…Thea, ser. Quiquelocularis ( Zhang et al, 2023 ), exclusively found in the vicinity of Puʼan County, Guizhou Province, China. In July 1980, senior agronomist Lu Qiming made the significant discovery of the worldʼs sole and most ancient “tea seed fossi” within the wild tea plantations situated in the Yuntou Mountain region on the boundary between Puʼan County and Qinglong County ( Fig.…”