Abstract
Following the recent completion of the draft genome sequence of theteaplant, high-throughput decoding of gene function, especially for those involved in complex secondary metabolism pathways has become a major challenge. Here, we profiled the metabolome and transcriptome of eleventeacultivars, and then illustrated a weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) based system biology strategy to interpret metabolomic flux, predict gene functions, and mining key regulators involved in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. We constructed a multilayered regulatory network, which integrated gene coexpression relationship with the microRNA target and promoter cis-regulatory element information. This allowed revealing new uncharacterized TFs (e.g., MADSs, WRKYs, and SBPs) and microRNAs (including 17 conserved and 15 novel microRNAs) that potentially implicate in different steps of the catechin biosynthesis. Furthermore, we applied metabolic-signature-based association method to capture additional key regulators involved in catechin pathway. This provides important clues for the functional characterization of five SCPL1A acyltransferase family members, which might implicate in the production balance of anthocyanins, galloylated catechins, and proanthocyanins. Application of ‘omics’-based system biology strategy should facilitate germplasm utilization and provide valuable resources forteaquality improvement.
相关阅读加权基因共表达网络分析探究茶树三大次生代谢途径协同调控机制
