Work

Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Organ-Specific Molecular and Metabolic Features in Nitraria sibirica

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Nitraria sibirica Pall. is a halophytic shrub with ecological and phytochemical value, but its organ-level molecular organization remains poorly resolved. Methods: We integrated RNA sequencing and untargeted LC–MS metabolomics for matched roots, stems, leaves, and fruits collected from one field population. Results: We quantified 25,263 genes and 2143 annotated metabolite entries, and the four organs separated clearly in both omics datasets. Across six pairwise comparisons, 12,160 nonredundant differentially expressed genes and 1446 nonredundant differentially accumulated metabolites were identified; intersection screening further resolved 3955 organ-preferential genes and 539 organ-preferential metabolites. Leaves contained the largest and most diverse preferential metabolite set and showed photosynthetic, chloroplast, pigment, and carbon-fixation signatures. Stems were distinguished by secondary-cell-wall, cytoskeletal, carbohydrate-conversion, phenylpropanoid, and lignan-related patterns. Fruits preferentially accumulated organic acids, amino-acid-related metabolites, sugars, and glycosides and showed energy-metabolism and flavonoid-modification signatures. Roots contained fewer preferential metabolites and were characterized by signaling, protective responses, RNA processing, and surface-barrier metabolism. WGCNA identified one significant organ-associated module for each organ, and cross-omics analyses linked these modules to preferential metabolites while prioritizing candidate gene–metabolite associations. Conclusions: These data define matched four-organ molecular and metabolic partitioning in N. sibirica and provide testable candidates for functional and targeted-metabolite validation.

Source: Metabolites

DOI: 10.3390/metabo16110826

Authors: Yuhao Nie, Wenhui Guo, Yongqi Yin, Deju Zhang

Institutions: Belarusian State University, International Sakharov Environmental Institute, Yangzhou University

Language: English

Topic: Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258