Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (10): 98-109.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2025-0379

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Differential Accumulation of Carotenoids in Ludisia discolor under Different Light Qualities Based on Multiomics

ZHANG Yu-xuan1(), ZHANG Shi-yi1, CHEN Hui-fang1, CAI Kun-xiu2, LI Chen-ye1, YANG Jun-jie2, ZHENG Tao2, QIU Ming-yue1, YANG You-si-yuan1, CHEN Ying1()   

  1. 1.College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350108
    2.Fujian Institute of Tropical Crops, Zhangzhou 363001
  • Received:2025-04-12 Online:2025-10-26 Published:2025-10-28
  • Contact: CHEN Ying E-mail:13506987207@163.com;000q020057@fafu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective This study is aimed to investigate the effects of different light qualities on the accumulation of carotenoid compounds in the leaves of Ludisia discolor and their molecular mechanisms, which may provide a theoretical reference for the standardized cultivation of this medicinal plant. Method This study used Ludisia discolor ‘Minre Yuanshuai’ to analyze the metabolic and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms under white light (W), blue light (B), and yellow light (Y) treatments. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and high-throughput transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) technologies were utilized to obtain metabolomic and transcriptomic data, respectively. The white light group was used as a control to analyze the effects of blue and yellow light on carotenoid content, related metabolites and gene expression. RT-qPCR was adapted to verify the expression patterns of eight key genes closely related to carotenoid synthesis. Result The blue light treatment significantly increased total carotenoid levels in L. discolor leaves, whereas yellow light treatment caused no substantial changes. The metabolomic results implied that there were 23 differential metabolites related to carotenoid synthesis, including xanthoxic acid, abscisic alcohol, strigolactone ABC-rings, and neurosporaxanthin. Transcriptome analysis revealed nine differentially expressed metabolic enzyme genes (such as CrtZ, Z-ISO, PSY) and six key transcription factors (ERF002, ERF059, ERF066), which may regulate carotenoid synthesis in response to gibberellin, methyl jasmonate, auxin, salicylic acid, and abscisic acid signals. RT-qPCR confirmed that the eight key genes play a potential role in the regulation of carotenoid metabolism. Conclusion Under blue light treatment, ERF and bZIP transcription factors in L. discolor leaves regulate the expressions of downstream enzyme genes by binding to cis-acting elements related to gibberellins, methyl jasmonate, growth hormone, salicylic acid, and abscisic acid, leading to significant accumulation of carotenoid-related metabolites.

Key words: Ludisia discolor, light quality, carotenoids, transcriptome, metabolome, transcription factors, plant hormone elements