Revealing the dynamic changes of metabolites and molecular mechanisms of chlorogenic acid accumulation during the leaf development of Vaccinium dunalianum based on multi-omic analyses

<i>Vaccinium dunalianum</i>, a medicinal plant, is utilized for Quezui Tea production from its leaf buds and young leaves. Despite prior research on <i>V. dunalianum</i> revealing several medicinal compounds, the comprehensive variations in metabolites during its growth and development, along with the molecular mechanisms underlying high chlorogenic acid (CGA) yield, remain unclear. Through a joint analysis of transcriptomics and proteomics, our study first identified 15 key structural genes and 3 transcription factors influencing CGA biosynthesis in <i>V. dunalianum</i>, offering new evidence to understand its regulatory network. Furthermore, non-targeted metabolomics analysis provides the first extensive report on the metabolic profile of <i>V. dunalianum</i>, furnishing a valuable dataset for deeper exploration of its nutritional and medicinal value, and the development of a quality evaluation system for its product Quezui Tea. This study offers the most comprehensive molecular information on <i>V. dunalianum</i>, marking a significant step toward understanding and enhancing the plant's potential for medicinal and nutritional applications. Additionally, this study also reveals <i>V. dunalianum</i> holds promise as a natural antioxidant source for functional foods, providing data support for network pharmacology.