Metabolic profiling and transcriptome analysis of Sinomenium acutum provide insights into the biosynthesis of structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids

Abstract Sinomenium acutum, a traditional medicinal plant, has been utilized for millennia to alleviate various forms of rheumatic pain symptoms. The structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) found in S. acutum are the primary contributors to its therapeutic efficacy, with sinomenine...

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Main Authors: Xiuyu Liu, Jicong Chen, Rui Ma, Le Zhao, Conglong Lian, Suiqing Chen, Ying Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90334-3
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author Xiuyu Liu
Jicong Chen
Rui Ma
Le Zhao
Conglong Lian
Suiqing Chen
Ying Ma
author_facet Xiuyu Liu
Jicong Chen
Rui Ma
Le Zhao
Conglong Lian
Suiqing Chen
Ying Ma
author_sort Xiuyu Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Sinomenium acutum, a traditional medicinal plant, has been utilized for millennia to alleviate various forms of rheumatic pain symptoms. The structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) found in S. acutum are the primary contributors to its therapeutic efficacy, with sinomenine being the principal bioactive constituent. In this study, we employed an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic approach to investigate BIA biosynthesis in S. acutum. Transcriptome sequencing, functional annotation, and differential gene expression analysis were combined with metabolite profiling to predict biosynthetic pathways of structurally diverse BIAs and screen candidate genes. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant stem-enriched accumulation of BIAs compared to leaves. Furthermore, we proposed a biosynthetic pathway of sinomenine and hypothesized that 34 key candidate genes, including cytochrome P450 (CYP450s), reductases, 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (2-ODDs), and O-methyltransferases (O-MTs), might be involved in its biosynthetic process. This study provides a foundation for understanding the biosynthesis of structurally diverse BIA compounds in S. acutum and offers critical insights for future characterization of functional genetic elements.
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spelling doaj-art-ec950a3f7fa5465db7fff856aaacc7652025-08-20T03:10:49ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-90334-3Metabolic profiling and transcriptome analysis of Sinomenium acutum provide insights into the biosynthesis of structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloidsXiuyu Liu0Jicong Chen1Rui Ma2Le Zhao3Conglong Lian4Suiqing Chen5Ying Ma6School of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese MedicineSchool of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese MedicineSchool of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese MedicineSchool of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese MedicineSchool of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese MedicineSchool of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese MedicineState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesAbstract Sinomenium acutum, a traditional medicinal plant, has been utilized for millennia to alleviate various forms of rheumatic pain symptoms. The structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) found in S. acutum are the primary contributors to its therapeutic efficacy, with sinomenine being the principal bioactive constituent. In this study, we employed an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic approach to investigate BIA biosynthesis in S. acutum. Transcriptome sequencing, functional annotation, and differential gene expression analysis were combined with metabolite profiling to predict biosynthetic pathways of structurally diverse BIAs and screen candidate genes. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant stem-enriched accumulation of BIAs compared to leaves. Furthermore, we proposed a biosynthetic pathway of sinomenine and hypothesized that 34 key candidate genes, including cytochrome P450 (CYP450s), reductases, 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (2-ODDs), and O-methyltransferases (O-MTs), might be involved in its biosynthetic process. This study provides a foundation for understanding the biosynthesis of structurally diverse BIA compounds in S. acutum and offers critical insights for future characterization of functional genetic elements.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90334-3Sinomenium acutumMetabolomicsTranscriptomicsBIAsSinomenineCandidate gene
spellingShingle Xiuyu Liu
Jicong Chen
Rui Ma
Le Zhao
Conglong Lian
Suiqing Chen
Ying Ma
Metabolic profiling and transcriptome analysis of Sinomenium acutum provide insights into the biosynthesis of structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids
Scientific Reports
Sinomenium acutum
Metabolomics
Transcriptomics
BIAs
Sinomenine
Candidate gene
title Metabolic profiling and transcriptome analysis of Sinomenium acutum provide insights into the biosynthesis of structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids
title_full Metabolic profiling and transcriptome analysis of Sinomenium acutum provide insights into the biosynthesis of structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids
title_fullStr Metabolic profiling and transcriptome analysis of Sinomenium acutum provide insights into the biosynthesis of structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids
title_full_unstemmed Metabolic profiling and transcriptome analysis of Sinomenium acutum provide insights into the biosynthesis of structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids
title_short Metabolic profiling and transcriptome analysis of Sinomenium acutum provide insights into the biosynthesis of structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids
title_sort metabolic profiling and transcriptome analysis of sinomenium acutum provide insights into the biosynthesis of structurally diverse benzylisoquinoline alkaloids
topic Sinomenium acutum
Metabolomics
Transcriptomics
BIAs
Sinomenine
Candidate gene
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90334-3
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