Multiomics-based characterization of specialized metabolites biosynthesis in Cornus Officinalis

Cornus officinalis, an important traditional medicinal plant, is used as major constituents of tonics, analgesics, and diuretics. While several studies have focused on its characteristic bioactive compounds, little is known on their biosynthesis. In this study, we performed LC-QTOF-MS-based metabolome and RNA-seq-based transcriptome profiling for seven tissues of C. officinalis. Untargeted metabolome analysis assigned chemical identities to 1,215 metabolites and showed tissue-specific accumulation for specialized metabolites with medicinal properties. De novo transcriptome assembly established for C. officinalis showed 96% of transcriptome completeness. Co-expression analysis identified candidate genes involved in the biosynthesis of iridoids, triterpenoids, and gallotannins, the major group of bioactive metabolites identified in C. officinalis. Integrative omics analysis identified 45 cytochrome P450s genes correlated with iridoids accumulation in C. officinalis. Network-based integration of genes assigned to iridoids biosynthesis pathways with these candidate CYPs further identified seven promising CYPs associated with iridoids’ metabolism. This study provides a valuable resource for further investigation of specialized metabolites’ biosynthesis in C. officinalis.