De novo RNA sequencing and analysis reveal the putative genes involved in diterpenoid biosynthesis in Aconitum vilmorinianum roots

In this study, the putative genes involved in diterpenoid alkaloids biosynthesis in A. vilmorinianum roots were revealed by transcriptome sequencing. 59.39 GB of clean bases and 119,660 unigenes were assembled, of which 69,978 unigenes (58.48%) were annotated. We identified 27 classes of genes (139 candidate genes) involved in the synthesis of diterpenoid alkaloids, including the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, the methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, the farnesyl diphosphate regulatory pathway, and the diterpenoid scaffold synthetic pathway. 12 CYP450 genes were identified. We found that hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase was the key enzyme in MVA metabolism, which was regulated by miR6300. Transcription factors, such as bHLH, AP2/EREBP, and MYB, used to synthesize the diterpenes were analyzed.

Automated summary

In this study, putative genes involved in diterpenoid alkaloids biosynthesis in A. vilmorinianum roots were revealed through transcriptome sequencing. Key metabolic pathways and candidate genes were identified, shedding light on the synthesis mechanisms of diterpenoid alkaloids.