Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Provides Insights into the Molecular Mechanism Underlying the Effect of MeJA Treatment on the Biosynthesis of Saikosaponins in Bupleurum chinense DC

DC. is a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal plant that produces saikosaponins (SSs), which possess hepatoprotective, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a signalling phytohormone that can increase the accumulation of SSs in the root of plants. However, the molecular understanding of MeJA-mediated SS biosynthesis is not clear. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the molecular mechanism underlying the response of DC. to MeJA in roots. In this study, we performed comparative transcriptome analysis of DC. roots with different MeJA treatment times. In total, 104,057 unigenes were identified, of which 4053 were differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Most of the DEGs were downregulated after MeJA treatment, and GO enrichment analysis showed that they were mainly related to biological processes involved in stress responses and development. A total of 88 DEGs encoding enzymes known to be involved in the SS synthesis pathway were found, and most were significantly downregulated within 24 h. Based on the DEGs, 99 transcription factors (TFs) belonging to the AP2/ERF, WRKY, bZIP, ZFP, and bHLH families with different expression patterns were also identified. Further integrated analysis indicated that 20 DEGs involved in the SS synthesis pathway and 12 DEGs encoding TFs presented strong correlations with the SS contents, and these DEGs may be critical for the biosynthesis and regulation of SSs. These findings will be critical for further study of the response of DC. to MeJA for SS biosynthesis.