Differential transcriptome analysis of genes associated with the rhizome growth and sesquiterpene biosynthesis in Atractylodes macrocephala

The rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine containing a variety of sesquiterpenoids and has a wide range of pharmacological activities. Due to the lack of genetic information, the rhizome development and sesquiterpene biosynthesis in A. macrocephala are basically unknown. In this study, the metabolic analysis and transcriptome sequencing of five different tissues of A. macrocephala (rhizomes, roots, stems, leaves and buds) were performed.