Integrated physiological, biochemical and transcriptomic analyses elucidate the response of alpine plant Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo to Low-Nitrogen stress

Abstract Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo, an endangered medicinal plant endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (altitude of 3100–5000 m), faces conservation challenges due to wild resource scarcity and cultivation difficulties. This investigation employed a gradient nitrogen stress system (N1-N4) wi...

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Main Authors: Liwen Zhong, Tingju Li, Jiasen Zhang, Jie Zhang, Jielin Zhang, Ling Li, Guopeng Chen, Shihong Zhong, Rui Gu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06953-5
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author Liwen Zhong
Tingju Li
Jiasen Zhang
Jie Zhang
Jielin Zhang
Ling Li
Guopeng Chen
Shihong Zhong
Rui Gu
author_facet Liwen Zhong
Tingju Li
Jiasen Zhang
Jie Zhang
Jielin Zhang
Ling Li
Guopeng Chen
Shihong Zhong
Rui Gu
author_sort Liwen Zhong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo, an endangered medicinal plant endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (altitude of 3100–5000 m), faces conservation challenges due to wild resource scarcity and cultivation difficulties. This investigation employed a gradient nitrogen stress system (N1-N4) with a nitrogen-free control (CK) to decipher its nitrogen adaptation mechanisms. Key findings revealed: (1) superior biomass accumulation, SPAD content, and total nitrogen levels in N1 compared to N4; (2) N4-induced suppression of antioxidant enzymes concurrent with elevated secondary metabolites; (3) transcriptomic perturbations in nitrogen metabolism, monoterpenoid biosynthesis, and photosynthetic pathways; (4) identification of eight nitrogen metabolism-related genes and eight iridoid synthase-associated genes exhibiting stress intensity-dependent expression patterns. Notably, key enzymatic activities (NR, Nrt, CA, GS, FM, DXS, NM) demonstrated unimodal responses peaking at N3 intensity. The species demonstrated nitrogen conservation strategies through enhanced assimilation and metabolic diversion into secondary biosynthesis, providing critical insights for alpine medicinal plant cultivation.
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spelling doaj-art-aba062a7a8524f22943432ae43d69b7e2025-08-20T03:04:27ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-07-0125111510.1186/s12870-025-06953-5Integrated physiological, biochemical and transcriptomic analyses elucidate the response of alpine plant Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo to Low-Nitrogen stressLiwen Zhong0Tingju Li1Jiasen Zhang2Jie Zhang3Jielin Zhang4Ling Li5Guopeng Chen6Shihong Zhong7Rui Gu8School of pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineSchool of pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineSchool of pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineSchool of pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu UniversityState Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineAbstract Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo, an endangered medicinal plant endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (altitude of 3100–5000 m), faces conservation challenges due to wild resource scarcity and cultivation difficulties. This investigation employed a gradient nitrogen stress system (N1-N4) with a nitrogen-free control (CK) to decipher its nitrogen adaptation mechanisms. Key findings revealed: (1) superior biomass accumulation, SPAD content, and total nitrogen levels in N1 compared to N4; (2) N4-induced suppression of antioxidant enzymes concurrent with elevated secondary metabolites; (3) transcriptomic perturbations in nitrogen metabolism, monoterpenoid biosynthesis, and photosynthetic pathways; (4) identification of eight nitrogen metabolism-related genes and eight iridoid synthase-associated genes exhibiting stress intensity-dependent expression patterns. Notably, key enzymatic activities (NR, Nrt, CA, GS, FM, DXS, NM) demonstrated unimodal responses peaking at N3 intensity. The species demonstrated nitrogen conservation strategies through enhanced assimilation and metabolic diversion into secondary biosynthesis, providing critical insights for alpine medicinal plant cultivation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06953-5Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) KudoTranscriptomicsLow nitrogen stressGrowth and developmentMedicinal ingredient
spellingShingle Liwen Zhong
Tingju Li
Jiasen Zhang
Jie Zhang
Jielin Zhang
Ling Li
Guopeng Chen
Shihong Zhong
Rui Gu
Integrated physiological, biochemical and transcriptomic analyses elucidate the response of alpine plant Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo to Low-Nitrogen stress
BMC Plant Biology
Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo
Transcriptomics
Low nitrogen stress
Growth and development
Medicinal ingredient
title Integrated physiological, biochemical and transcriptomic analyses elucidate the response of alpine plant Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo to Low-Nitrogen stress
title_full Integrated physiological, biochemical and transcriptomic analyses elucidate the response of alpine plant Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo to Low-Nitrogen stress
title_fullStr Integrated physiological, biochemical and transcriptomic analyses elucidate the response of alpine plant Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo to Low-Nitrogen stress
title_full_unstemmed Integrated physiological, biochemical and transcriptomic analyses elucidate the response of alpine plant Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo to Low-Nitrogen stress
title_short Integrated physiological, biochemical and transcriptomic analyses elucidate the response of alpine plant Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo to Low-Nitrogen stress
title_sort integrated physiological biochemical and transcriptomic analyses elucidate the response of alpine plant lamiophlomis rotata benth kudo to low nitrogen stress
topic Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo
Transcriptomics
Low nitrogen stress
Growth and development
Medicinal ingredient
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06953-5
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