Integrative metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses reveals the accumulation patterns of key metabolites associated with flavonoids and terpenoids of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino is a medicinal and edible plant with significant liver protection, antitumor activity. It undergo a complex set of physiological and biochemical changes, manifested primarily in the accumulation and transformation of closely related flavonoids and terpenoids. In current study, we combined a series of metabolomic and transcriptomic data for an integrated analysis. The dynamic regulatory network diagram of Gynostemma flavonoids and terpenoids was constructed. Meanwhile, the transcription factors involved in flavonoids and terpenoids were screened, including bHLH, myb-related, WRKY, AP2/ERF, etc. A PPI networks were built to ensure the roles and communications of the obtained DEGs. Among the DEGs associated with flavonoid and terpenoid synthesis, DFR and GGPPS were core genes. This study presents dynamic images of different tissues of Gynostemma, stating the specific expression of key genes and metabolites. There is a deeper research on the accumulation mode of G. pentaphyllum.