Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals abscisic acid-induced bHLH transcription factors involved in saikosaponin biosynthesis in <i>Bupleurum chinense</i> DC.

ABSTRACT: Bupleurum chinense DC. a medicinal plant valued for saikosaponins (SSs) with antipyretic and hepatoprotective properties, faces constrained SS biosynthesis mediated by abscisic acid (ABA) during growth. Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs) are hypothesized to participate in ABA signaling cascades, but their mechanistic role in SS regulation remains undefined. In this study, 20 differentially expressed BcbHLH genes were identified by transcriptomic profiling of ABA-induced hairy roots, with four MYC-family candidates (BcbHLH1-BcbHLH4) demonstrating ABA-responsive regulatory potential. ABA exposure (100 or 200 μmol/L, 24-72 h) induced dose-dependent SS reduction, while correlation analyses revealed coordinated expression between BcbHLH1-BcHMGR

SUBMITTER: Wang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12013423 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature