Combined transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis to uncover the biosynthesis pathways in Jasminum elongatum

• Main Author: Tham, Roy Jun Kai
• Other Authors: Jarkko Tapani Salojarvi
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/176502
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Strictosidine is a monoterpene indole alkaloid (MIA) that forms a broad and versatile class of biologically active molecules. As a secondary plant metabolite, strictosidine forms via the catalytic condensation of secologanin and tryptamine with the aid of strictosidine synthase. While MIAs are widespread in nature, strictosidine synthase activity is only found in the Gentianales, Garryales, and Cornales orders. Utilizing an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic approach, this study aims to understand the secologanin and strictosidine biosynthetic pathways in J. elongatum under unwounded and 6-hour wounded states. Upon wounding, changes were observed on a transcriptional and metabolite level. A gene- metabolite network constructed using this multi-omics approach revealed a spatial separation of key regulatory enzyme 7-DLGT in the secoiridoid biosynthesis pathway. Using WGCNA, the activity of strictosidine synthase demonstrated similar co-expression with other genes in J. elongatum. Finally J. elongatum was discovered to undergo the MIA pathway following secologanin to produce vinblastine. Being in the Lamiales order, J. elongatum share the same Asterid clade as Gentianales, Garryales, and Cornale, this study found for the first time that J. elongatum contains the MIA pathway for vinblastine biosynthesis. Thus opening avenues for future evolutionary research into the gene conservation of strictosidine synthase within the Lamiales.