Non-targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics reveal mechanisms of metabolic differences among roots, stems, and leaves of Cudrania tricuspidata

We detected a total of 1254 metabolites from the three tissues of Cudrania roots, stems, and leaves, and all metabolites were annotated and classified into eight categories by the KEGG database: steroids, lipids, antibiotics, vitamins and cofactors, nucleic acids, peptides, carbohydrates, and organic acids. Flavonoid-rich roots and stems of Cudrania were significantly different from the transcripts of leaves. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that the differential genes were mainly enriched in Photosynthesis - antenna proteins, Zeatin biosynthesis, Flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, Monoterpenoid biosynthesis pathway. The expression of flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis-related genes was significantly up-regulated in roots and stems. From the perspective of the differences in metabolites among roots, stems and leaves of Cudrania, it can provide a basis for revealing the material basis of the differences in medicinal properties and efficacy of different parts.