Analysis of iridoid biosynthesis pathway in Gentiana rigescens based on multi-omics

Gentiana rigescens , a prominent traditional Chinese medicinal herb cultivated in Yunnan Province, China, possesses substantial economic value due to its efficacy in treating hepatobiliary ailments, which is largely ascribed to the accumulation of iridoids. Despite their importance, the biosynthetic pathways governing iridoid production in G. rigescens have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we employed an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic approach across multiple tissues (flower, leaf, root, and stem) to map iridoid distribution patterns and elucidate key regulatory genes and transcription factors. Our analyses identified 9 pivotal genes involved in iridoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that 181 genes and 17 transcription factors were highly correlated with the biosynthesis of 7-deoxyloganic acid, and 4 genes and 1 transcription factor showed strong associations with geniposidic acid biosynthesis. This study provides a theoretical foundation for further research on the biosynthesis of active components in G. rigescens , offering essential support for enhancing medicinal quality through targeted molecular breeding and variety selection.