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.本研究从柘属（Cudrania）植物的根、茎、叶三种组织中共计检测到1254种代谢物，所有代谢物均经京都基因与基因组百科全书（Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes，KEGG）数据库完成注释并划分为八大类别：类固醇、脂质、抗生素、维生素与辅因子、核酸、肽类、碳水化合物及有机酸。富含黄酮类化合物的柘属根与茎，其转录组特征与叶片存在显著差异。基因本体（Gene Ontology，GO）与KEGG富集分析结果显示，差异表达基因主要富集于光合作用-天线蛋白、玉米素生物合成、黄酮与黄酮醇生物合成以及单萜类生物合成通路。根与茎中黄酮及黄酮醇生物合成相关基因的表达量显著上调。从柘属根、茎、叶的代谢物差异视角出发，本研究可为阐明其不同部位药用属性与功效差异的物质基础提供重要依据。