Available online 27 April 2024, 110850

In this study, we analyzed the metabolomics and transcriptomics of the leaves of Phlomoides rotata from four habitats (HN, GL, YS, and CD).

The flavonoid metabolites and DEGs related to the flavonoids metabolism were investigated.

There were 59 flavonoids and 29 DEGs of P. rotata from four habitats.

Eleven flavonoids gradually increased with altitude.

PAL2, UFGT6, COMT1, HCT2, 4CL4, and HCT3 genes were crucial in regulating flavonoid biosynthesis.

Three enzymes CHS, 4CL, and UFGT played important roles in flavonoid biosynthesis.

This study provided biological and chemical evidence for the different uses of various regional plants of P. rotata.

Phlomoides rotata is a traditional medical plant at 3100–5200 m altitude in the Tibet Plateau. In this study, flavonoid metabolites were investigated in P. rotata from Henan County (HN), Guoluo County (GL), Yushu County (YS), and Chengduo County (CD) habitats in Qinghai. The level of kaempferol 3-neohesperidoside, sakuranetin, and biochanin A was high in HN. The content of limocitrin and isoquercetin was high in YS. The levels of ikarisoside A and chrysosplenol D in GL were high. Schaftoside, miquelianin, malvidin chloride, and glabrene in CD exhibited high levels. The results showed a significant correlation between 59 flavonoids and 29 DEGs. Eleven flavonoids increased with altitude. PAL2, UFGT6, COMT1, HCT2, 4CL4, and HCT3 genes were crucial in regulating flavonoid biosynthesis. Three enzymes CHS, 4CL, and UFGT, were crucial in regulating flavonoid biosynthesis. This study provided biological and chemical evidence for the different uses of various regional plants of P. rotata.

Phlomoides rotata

Untargeted metabolome

Transcriptome

Flavonoid metabolism

4-Coumarate-CoA ligase

Anthocyanidin reductase

Cinnamate 4-hydroxylase

Chalcone-flavanone isomerase

Catechol-O-methyltransferase

Dihydroflavonol-4-reductase;

Flavonoid-3-hydroxylase

Hydroxycinnamoyltransferase

Leucoanthocyanidin reductase

Leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase

UDP-flavonoid glucosyltransferase

The raw RNA-seq datasets used for this study can be found in the NCBI SRA under the project number: PRJNA1076649 [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sra/PRJNA1076649].

© 2024 Published by Elsevier Inc.