Transcriptome sequencing of Viscum album

Viscum album L. (Loranthaceae, European mistletoe) has been widely used for the treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The components including viscotoxins, lectins and terpenoids showed significant immune-system-stimulating activity and cell-killing activity has been suggested to be responsible for its therapeutic effects. The transcriptome sequencing of V. album was performed in this study to discover those genes with potential roles in translating and regulating the biosynthesis of viscotoxins, lectins and terpenoids.