Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses reveals the effects of nano-selenium on pak choi

Abstract Selenium is an indispensable nutrient for plants, and optimizing selenium levels can enhance plant growth and metabolism, leading to improved yield and quality. In comparison to conventional inorganic or organic selenium fertilizers, nano-selenium demonstrates superior safety and enhanced b...

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Main Authors: Yanyan Wang, Peiheng Sun, Mingying Nie, Jianyun Zhan, Liu Huang, Junda Wu, Jie Zhang, Xiaowu He, Na Li, Longsong Hu, Shiyu Liu, Chengfu Yuan, Changming Zhou, Guangjie Chen, Jialong Huang, Xiaofei Li
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Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95165-w
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author Yanyan Wang
Peiheng Sun
Mingying Nie
Jianyun Zhan
Liu Huang
Junda Wu
Jie Zhang
Xiaowu He
Na Li
Longsong Hu
Shiyu Liu
Chengfu Yuan
Changming Zhou
Guangjie Chen
Jialong Huang
Xiaofei Li
author_facet Yanyan Wang
Peiheng Sun
Mingying Nie
Jianyun Zhan
Liu Huang
Junda Wu
Jie Zhang
Xiaowu He
Na Li
Longsong Hu
Shiyu Liu
Chengfu Yuan
Changming Zhou
Guangjie Chen
Jialong Huang
Xiaofei Li
author_sort Yanyan Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Selenium is an indispensable nutrient for plants, and optimizing selenium levels can enhance plant growth and metabolism, leading to improved yield and quality. In comparison to conventional inorganic or organic selenium fertilizers, nano-selenium demonstrates superior safety and enhanced biological activity, making it more suitable for crop production. Although nano-selenium fertilizer is extensively used in various crops, its application in pak choi remains limited. As a vital source of selenium, previous research on pak choi (Brassica chinensis var. pekinensis cv. 'Suzhouqing') has primarily focused on investigating physiological effects with limited exploration of the molecular mechanism. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of nano-selenium on pak choi through an integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolome. Specifically, we examined the effects of different concentrations of nano-selenium (0, 5, 10 and 20 mg L−1) on the growth and nutritional quality of Suzhouqing. The findings revealed that a low concentration (5 mg L−1) of nano-selenium significantly increased leaf weight and total selenium content, while modulating primary metabolites such as soluble amino acids, proteins, sugars and ascorbic acid. Additionally, it influenced secondary metabolites including glucosinolates, phenolic acids and flavonoids. Consequently, this enhancement in growth performance and nutritional quality was attributed to the regulation of pathways involved in selenocompound metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis by key enzymes such as methionine S-methyltransferase, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase, kynurenine-oxoglutarate transaminase, thioredoxin reductase, phenylalanine ammonian-lyase, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, flavonoid 3’, 5'-hydroxylase, naringenin 3-dioxygenase, flavonol synthase and bifunctional dihydroflavonol 4-reductase. These results provide comprehensive insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the influence of nano-selenium on plant growth and nutritional quality. Therefore, they offer a solid theoretical basis and technical support for breeding and cultivation strategies aimed at producing selenium-rich pak choi.
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spelling doaj-art-ea06d057aaee48efb6f5d37ec6494ed82025-08-20T01:56:01ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-95165-wIntegration of metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses reveals the effects of nano-selenium on pak choiYanyan Wang0Peiheng Sun1Mingying Nie2Jianyun Zhan3Liu Huang4Junda Wu5Jie Zhang6Xiaowu He7Na Li8Longsong Hu9Shiyu Liu10Chengfu Yuan11Changming Zhou12Guangjie Chen13Jialong Huang14Xiaofei Li15Jiangxi Agricultural UniversityJiangxi Agricultural UniversityJiangxi Agricultural UniversityJiangxi Agricultural UniversityJiangxi Agricultural UniversityJiangxi Agricultural UniversityAcademy of Water Science and EngineeringJiangxi Agricultural UniversityJiangxi Agricultural UniversityJiangxi Agricultural UniversityJiangxi Agricultural UniversityJiangxi Agricultural UniversityJiangxi Agricultural UniversityJiangxi Agricultural UniversityJiangxi Agricultural UniversityJiangxi Agricultural UniversityAbstract Selenium is an indispensable nutrient for plants, and optimizing selenium levels can enhance plant growth and metabolism, leading to improved yield and quality. In comparison to conventional inorganic or organic selenium fertilizers, nano-selenium demonstrates superior safety and enhanced biological activity, making it more suitable for crop production. Although nano-selenium fertilizer is extensively used in various crops, its application in pak choi remains limited. As a vital source of selenium, previous research on pak choi (Brassica chinensis var. pekinensis cv. 'Suzhouqing') has primarily focused on investigating physiological effects with limited exploration of the molecular mechanism. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of nano-selenium on pak choi through an integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolome. Specifically, we examined the effects of different concentrations of nano-selenium (0, 5, 10 and 20 mg L−1) on the growth and nutritional quality of Suzhouqing. The findings revealed that a low concentration (5 mg L−1) of nano-selenium significantly increased leaf weight and total selenium content, while modulating primary metabolites such as soluble amino acids, proteins, sugars and ascorbic acid. Additionally, it influenced secondary metabolites including glucosinolates, phenolic acids and flavonoids. Consequently, this enhancement in growth performance and nutritional quality was attributed to the regulation of pathways involved in selenocompound metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis by key enzymes such as methionine S-methyltransferase, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase, kynurenine-oxoglutarate transaminase, thioredoxin reductase, phenylalanine ammonian-lyase, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, flavonoid 3’, 5'-hydroxylase, naringenin 3-dioxygenase, flavonol synthase and bifunctional dihydroflavonol 4-reductase. These results provide comprehensive insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the influence of nano-selenium on plant growth and nutritional quality. Therefore, they offer a solid theoretical basis and technical support for breeding and cultivation strategies aimed at producing selenium-rich pak choi.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95165-wNano-seleniumTranscriptomeMetabolomePak choi
spellingShingle Yanyan Wang
Peiheng Sun
Mingying Nie
Jianyun Zhan
Liu Huang
Junda Wu
Jie Zhang
Xiaowu He
Na Li
Longsong Hu
Shiyu Liu
Chengfu Yuan
Changming Zhou
Guangjie Chen
Jialong Huang
Xiaofei Li
Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses reveals the effects of nano-selenium on pak choi
Scientific Reports
Nano-selenium
Transcriptome
Metabolome
Pak choi
title Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses reveals the effects of nano-selenium on pak choi
title_full Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses reveals the effects of nano-selenium on pak choi
title_fullStr Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses reveals the effects of nano-selenium on pak choi
title_full_unstemmed Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses reveals the effects of nano-selenium on pak choi
title_short Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses reveals the effects of nano-selenium on pak choi
title_sort integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses reveals the effects of nano selenium on pak choi
topic Nano-selenium
Transcriptome
Metabolome
Pak choi
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95165-w
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