Tracking dynamics of enzyme activities and their gene expression in Picrorhiza kurroa with respect to picroside accumulation

Picrosides, the terpenoids synthesized by Picrorhiza kurroa, have ample usage in medicine. Identification of the regulatory enzymes involved in picroside biosynthesis needs to be explored for improving the level of these secondary metabolites. Current efforts are based on the analysis of secondary metabolism in picroside biosynthesis but its interpretation is limited by the lack of information on the involvement of primary metabolic pathways. The present study investigated the connection of primary metabolic enzymes with the picrosides levels in P. kurroa. The results showed changes in the catalytic activities as well as in the gene expression profiles of hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, and NADP(+)-malic enzyme in congruence with picroside-I content under different conditions of P. kurroa growth, which indicates the role of these enzymes in the accumulation of picrosides. The significant correlation coefficients (p < 0.05) observed between gene expression and enzyme activity underline the role of integrative studies for a better understanding of connecting links between metabolic pathways leading to picroside biosynthesis. This is apparently the first report on the involvement of glycolytic and TCA cycle enzymes in the accumulation of picrosides in P. kurroa.