Putative genes in alkaloid biosynthesis identified in Dendrobium officinale by correlating the contents of major bioactive metabolites with genes expression between Protocorm-like bodies and leaves

Abstract Background Dendrobium officinale , an endangered Chinese herb, possesses extensive therapeutic effects and contains bioactive ingredients such as major polysaccharides, alkaloids, minimal flavonoids. We first obtained the protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) of this plant through tissue culture in order to determine distribution main secondary metabolites each organelle PLBs. then analyzed correlation between gene expression level from comparative transcriptome sequencing metabolite content different organs identify putative genes encoding enzymes involved biosynthesis Results used seeds explants for protocorm induction PLB propagation D. . The optimal medium formula was 1/2 MS + ?-NAA 0.5 mg·L ? 1 6-BA 1.0 2, 4-D 1.5–2.0 potato juice 100 g·L Stems, PLBs leaves had highest alkaloids flavonoids, respectively. Naringenin only produced stem; however, with high alkaloid can replace other producing alkaloids. hot water extraction method outperformed ultrasound-assisted extracting polysaccharides officinale. A analysis revealed differential polysaccharide, flavonoid biosynthetic pathways. Putative these pathways were identified. Notably, we identified strictosidine ?-D-Glucosidase, geissoschizine synthase vinorine Conclusions identification candidate will help explore protect species facilitate further molecular mechanism