Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal tissue-specific distribution and gene-metabolite associations of quality-related metabolites in the Tibetan Plateau turnip landrace “Yushuyuangen” (Brassica rapa ssp. rapa)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Yushuyuangen ( Brassica rapa ssp. rapa ) is a characteristic turnip landrace cultivated on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and valued for its nutritional and flavor qualities. However, the tissue-specific distribution of quality-related metabolites and the gene-expression patterns associated with their accumulation remain poorly understood. Here, metabolomics and transcriptomics were integrated with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to investigate three root tissues in two varieties, YPW (purple-white) and YGW (green-white): the upper colored peel (purple in YPW and green in YGW), lower white peel, and root flesh. A total of 775 metabolites were identified, showing clear tissue-dependent metabolic differentiation. Sugar-phosphate intermediates and aromatic/aspartate-family amino acids accumulated mainly in root flesh (glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate, phenylalanine, and homoserine), whereas branched-chain amino acids were abundant in colored peel (valine and leucine). Purple peel accumulated higher levels of p- coumaric acid and ferulic acid, while flavonoids differed markedly between purple and green peel, represented by phloretin and diosmetin in purple peel and trifolin and kaempferol-7- O -glucoside in green peel. Integrated WGCNA and correlation analyses further identified tissue-associated relationships among metabolites, structural genes, and transcription factors. Four candidate transcription factor–structural gene–metabolite associations were highlighted: NAC22 – F16P2.1 –D-fructose-6-phosphate, bHLH65 / ARFD4 – TRBP2.2 –L-tryptophan, MYB62 / AGL63 – PAL1.2 / C4H.2 – p- coumaric acid, and MYB62 – FLS1 / F3′H1.2 –trifolin/kaempferol-7- O -glucoside. These associations were inferred from co-expression and correlation patterns and represent candidate relationships for further functional validation.
Source: Frontiers in Nutrition
Authors: Caixia Li, Ruxue Qian, Quanhui Li, Yanjing Ren
Institution: Qinghai University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
Award: G3618317576
OpenAlex ID: W7221723437