Multi-omics analysis reveals tissue-specific biosynthesis and accumulation of diterpene alkaloids in Aconitum japonicum

Aconitum japonicum, native to the mountainous regions of Japan, is a toxic perennial plant widely recognized for its therapeutic potential. Despite its pharmacological importance, the complete biosynthetic pathway of diterpene alkaloids, bioactive compounds with significant pharmaceutical implications and derived from Aconitum species, remains elusive. In this study, leveraging high-throughput metabolome and transcriptome analyses, we conducted a comprehensive investigation using four tissues of A. japonicum, including leaf, mother root, daughter root, and rootlet. By integrating these multi-omics datasets, we achieved a holistic insight into the gene expression patterns and metabolite profiles intricately linked with diterpene alkaloid biosynthesis. Our findings unveil potential regulatory networks and pinpoint key candidate genes pivotal in diterpene alkaloid synthesis. Through comparative analyses across tissues, we delineate tissue-specific variations in gene expression and metabolite accumulation, shedding light on the spatial regulation of these biosynthetic pathways within the plant. Furthermore, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms dictating the production of diterpene alkaloids in A. japonicum. Besides advancing our knowledge of plant secondary metabolism in A. japonicum, this study also provides a high-quality multi-omics resource for future studies aimed at functionally characterizing the target genes involved in different metabolic processes.