RNA-sequencing-based transcriptome and biochemical analyses of steroidal saponin pathway in a complete set of Allium fistulosum-A. cepa monosomic addition lines

PLoS One. 2017 Aug 11;12(8):e0181784. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181784. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

The genus Allium is a rich source of steroidal saponins, and its medicinal properties have been attributed to these bioactive compounds. The saponin compounds with diverse structures play a pivotal role in Allium's defense mechanism. Despite numerous studies on the occurrence and chemical structure of steroidal saponins, their biosynthetic pathway in Allium species is poorly understood. The monosomic addition lines (MALs) of the Japanese bunching onion (A. fistulosum, FF) with an extra chromosome from the shallot (A. cepa Aggregatum group, AA) are powerful genetic resources that enable us to understand many physiological traits of Allium. In the present study, we were able to isolate and identify Alliospiroside A saponin compound in A. fistulosum with extra chromosome 2A from shallot (FF2A) and its role in the defense mechanism against Fusarium pathogens. Furthermore, to gain molecular insight into the Allium saponin biosynthesis pathway, high-throughput RNA-Seq of the root, bulb, and leaf of AA, MALs, and FF was carried out using Illumina's HiSeq 2500 platform. An open access Allium Transcript Database (Allium TDB, http://alliumtdb.kazusa.or.jp) was generated based on RNA-Seq data. The resulting assembled transcripts were functionally annotated, revealing 50 unigenes involved in saponin biosynthesis. Differential gene expression (DGE) analyses of AA and MALs as compared with FF (as a control) revealed a strong up-regulation of the saponin downstream pathway, including cytochrome P450, glycosyltransferase, and beta-glucosidase in chromosome 2A. An understanding of the saponin compounds and biosynthesis-related genes would facilitate the development of plants with unique saponin content and, subsequently, improved disease resistance.

MeSH terms

  • Allium / genetics*
  • Biological Assay
  • Biosynthetic Pathways / genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Genes, Plant
  • Models, Biological
  • Saponins / biosynthesis*
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA / methods*
  • Steroids / biosynthesis*
  • Transcriptome / genetics*

Substances

  • Saponins
  • Steroids

Grants and funding

This research topic was fully supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 16H06279. The RNA-Sequencing experiments were supported by Cooperative Research Grant of the Genome Research for BioResource, NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture in FY2014 and FY2015, respectively for leaf sheath and leaf blade. Another RNA-Sequencing experiment in FY2014 for root was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number 16H06279.