Transcriptome analysis between stem and root tissue of Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso associated with expression of candidate genes for synthesis of medicinally important secondary metabolites.

Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso, an important medicinal plant of the family Convolvulaceae. The leaves, stem, root, root bark and seeds of the plant contains a wide range of phytochemicals which include coumarin, flavonoids, scopoletin, lupeol, betulin, glycosides such as alpha- and beta-turpethein, turpethinic acid (A,B,C,D,E), beta-sitosterol, terpenoids such as cycloartenol, turpethosides, lanosterol, Dammarane type saponins such as operculinoside A-D etc. Most of the active ingredients are found in root and stem bark. Although this potent medicinal plant has been studied extensively in pharmacological and chemical field, the study of metabolic pathway of the active principle and strategic exploitation of its germplasm is difficult due to the absence of genomic information of the plant. The transcriptome sequence data of the plant will facilitate the identification and characterization of the functional gene that encode the enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the active ingredients. De novo Transcriptome analysis will show the tissue specific differential expression of candidate genes for synthesis of medicinally important secondary metabolites. Normally root is used for herbal preparation so the population of the species is under threat. As the plant is endangered the study will help in finding alternative tissue for medicinal use and help in the conservation of the species.