Radix Bupleuri (roots of Bupleurum spp.) is an important medicinal herb. Triterpenoid saponins of saikosaponins generally constitute the main class of secondary metabolites of plants in the Bupleurum genus. However, the molecular regulatory mechanism underlying their biosynthesis remains elusive. In this study, we observed significantly different saikosaponin biosynthesis between Bupleurum chinense and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium at the seedling stage. The sequential and expression characterization of 232 genes in the triterpenoid saponin biosynthetic pathway, which includes the mevalonate (MVA) pathway and methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway, between B. chinense and B. scorzonerifolium was also investigated. Sixty of these genes may be involved in saikosaponin biosynthesis. Manipulation of these genes, especially those of the β-AS, P450, and UGT families, may improve saikosaponin production.

柴胡（根） 柴胡spp。）是重要的草药。皂苷的三萜皂苷通常是植物中次生代谢产物的主要类别。柴胡属。然而，其生物合成基础的分子调控机制仍然难以捉摸。在这项研究中，我们观察到皂苷的生物合成之间存在显着差异柴胡 和 柴胡柴胡在苗期。三萜皂苷生物合成途径中的232个基因之间的顺序和表达特征，包括甲羟戊酸（MVA）途径和甲基赤藓糖醇磷酸（MEP）途径之间，中华 和 B. scorzonerifolium还进行了调查。这些基因中有60个可能参与了皂苷皂苷的生物合成。这些基因，特别是β-AS，P450和UGT家族的基因的操纵，可能会提高皂甙的生产。