The tuberous root of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg (T. hemsleyanum) is a traditional Chinese medicine with a wide range of clinical applications. However, the scarcity of its wild resources, its low yield, and the variable quality that results from its artificial cultivation leads to expensive market prices that are not conducive to the further industrial development of T. hemsleyanum. In this study, transcriptomic and non-targeted metabolomic analyses were integrated to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms and metabolite biosynthesis that occur during its root development. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were predominantly enriched for processes associated with flavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and plant hormone signal transduction. Genes related to lignin were downregulated in tuberous roots (TRs), resulting in a decrease in lignification and the downregulation of metabolites related to flavonoids and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. In addition, the expression levels of starch- and sucrose-related genes were upregulated in TRs. The root development of SYQ is also related to IAA, GA, ABA, and JA signaling pathways. Collectively, this study lays the foundation for analyzing the root development and quality-modulating mechanisms employed by T. hemsleyanum; this will be beneficial in conducting molecular-assisted breeding and controlling its secondary metabolite production.

中文翻译：

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转录组和代谢组的整合分析揭示了铁马铃薯块根的发育机制和代谢物生物合成

铁线莲（T. hemsleyanum）的块根是一种临床应用广泛的中药。但其野生资源稀少，产量低，人工栽培品质参差不齐，导致市场价格昂贵，不利于铁汉木进一步产业化发展。在这项研究中，整合了转录组学和非靶向代谢组学分析，以探索其根发育过程中发生的潜在分子机制和代谢物生物合成。京都基因与基因组百科全书 (KEGG) 通路富集分析表明，差异表达基因 (DEG) 主要富集与类黄酮和苯丙烷生物合成、淀粉和蔗糖代谢相关的过程，和植物激素信号转导。与木质素相关的基因在块根 (TRs) 中下调，导致木质化减少以及与类黄酮和苯丙烷生物合成相关的代谢物下调。此外，淀粉和蔗糖相关基因的表达水平在 TR 中上调。SYQ的根系发育还与IAA、GA、ABA、JA信号通路有关。总的来说，这项研究为分析 T. hemsleyanum 采用的根系发育和质量调节机制奠定了基础；这将有利于进行分子辅助育种和控制其次级代谢产物的产生。导致木质化减少和与类黄酮和苯丙烷生物合成相关的代谢物下调。此外，淀粉和蔗糖相关基因的表达水平在 TR 中上调。SYQ的根系发育还与IAA、GA、ABA、JA信号通路有关。总的来说，这项研究为分析 T. hemsleyanum 采用的根系发育和质量调节机制奠定了基础；这将有利于进行分子辅助育种和控制其次级代谢产物的产生。导致木质化减少和与类黄酮和苯丙烷生物合成相关的代谢物下调。此外，淀粉和蔗糖相关基因的表达水平在 TR 中上调。SYQ的根系发育还与IAA、GA、ABA、JA信号通路有关。总的来说，这项研究为分析 T. hemsleyanum 采用的根系发育和质量调节机制奠定了基础；这将有利于进行分子辅助育种和控制其次级代谢产物的产生。本研究为分析铁汉木的根系发育和质量调节机制奠定了基础；这将有利于进行分子辅助育种和控制其次级代谢产物的产生。本研究为分析铁汉木的根系发育和质量调节机制奠定了基础；这将有利于进行分子辅助育种和控制其次级代谢产物的产生。