Identification of genes involved in steroid alkaloid biosynthesis in Fritillaria imperialis via de novo transcriptomics

• Published in: Genomics (San Diego, Calif.) Calif.), 2019-12, Vol.111 (6), p.1360-1372
• Main Authors: Eshaghi, Mahsa, Shiran, Behrouz, Fallahi, Hossein, Ravash, Rudabeh, Đeri, Bojana Banović
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkaloids - biosynthesis; Alkaloids - genetics; Biosynthetic Pathways; Computational Biology; de novo transcriptomics; Expression profiles; Fritillaria - genetics; Fritillaria - growth & development; Fritillaria - metabolism; Fritillaria imperialis; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Phylogeny; Plant Proteins - genetics; Plant Proteins - metabolism; Steroidal alkaloids; Steroids - biosynthesis; Steroids - metabolism; Transcriptome
• ISSN: 0888-7543; 1089-8646
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2018.09.008

Crown imperial (CI) has been used in traditional medicine. Today it is known that such beneficial effects are due to its richness in steroidal alkaloids (SA). Using de novo transcriptomics, orthologues/paralogues finder, phylogenetic analysis and tissue- and developmental stage-specific expression analysis, we identified ten genes and several TFs involved in the biosynthesis of SA in CI. The comparative analysis of ten genes expression profiles revealed the possibility of their co-regulation, which may imply the possibility of their organization in metabolic gene clusters. Having in mind convergent evolution of steroidal biosynthetic pathways in flowering plants and records of convergent evolution of specific proteins, observed expression patterns open a reasonable interest to investigate the possibility of the existence of genes cluster organization in SA pathway in the family Liliaceae or at least in some species of genus Fritillaria. Obtained results support transcriptomics as useful approach in elucidating genes underlying complex biochemical pathways. •We have conducted high-throughput transcriptome analysis in different tissues of Fritillaria imperialis.•de novo transcriptomics approach used to identify several genes and TF involved in steroid alkaloid biosynthesis.•Confirming the expression pattern of 10 candidate genes in different tissue during 3 developmental stages by qPCR.•The results from our study could be applied in bioengineering, biocatalysis and in developing novel biocatalysts.