biostudies-literatureZhao QState Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science Gansu Agricultural UniversityNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaAssurance Project of Ecological Planting and Quality of Daodi Herbs575https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9919621biostudies-literatureUnknown12(3)<i>Sinopodophyllum hexandrum</i> is a perennial alpine herb producing the anti-cancer metabolite podophyllotoxin (PPT). Although the adaptation of <i>S. hexandrum</i> to high altitudes has been demonstrated and the effects of temperature, precipitation, and UV-B light on plant growth and metabolite accumulation have been studied, knowledge on the role of flavonoid biosynthesis in adapting to high altitudes is limited. In this study, light intensity, amount and type of flavonoids, and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and genes (DEGs) at 2300 and 3300 m were analyzed by HPLC, proteomic, transcriptomic, and qRT-PCR analysis. We found that higher light intensity correlated with greater flavonoid, flavonol, and anthocyanin content as well as higher anthocyanin to total flavonoid and flaPlants (Basel, Switzerland)Light-Induced Flavonoid Biosynthesis in <i>Sinopodophyllum hexandrum</i> with High-Altitude Adaptation.PMC991962120210300381560617GSCS-2021-Z03Zhao QDong MLi MPare PWJin LfalseLight-Induced Flavonoid Biosynthesis in <i>Sinopodophyllum hexandrum</i> with High-Altitude Adaptation.<i>Sinopodophyllum hexandrum</i> is a perennial alpine herb producing the anti-cancer metabolite podophyllotoxin (PPT). Although the adaptation of <i>S. hexandrum</i> to high altitudes has been demonstrated and the effects of temperature, precipitation, and UV-B light on plant growth and metabolite accumulation have been studied, knowledge on the role of flavonoid biosynthesis in adapting to high altitudes is limited. In this study, light intensity, amount and type of flavonoids, and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and genes (DEGs) at 2300 and 3300 m were analyzed by HPLC, proteomic, transcriptomic, and qRT-PCR analysis. We found that higher light intensity correlated with greater flavonoid, flavonol, and anthocyanin content as well as higher anthocyanin to total flavonoid and fla2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Jan2026-04-08T13:58:39.654Z2025-04-06T00:50:54.341ZS-EPMC99196213677165710.3390/plants12030575