Analysis of the Transcriptome of Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce Uncovers Putative Genes Involved in Isoflavonoid Biosynthesis

Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce ( P. odoratum ) is a traditional Chinese herb. The isoflavonoids of P. odoratum are important medicinal bioactive compounds for the treatment of hypoimmunity, rheumatic heart disease, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. This study used RNA sequencing to identify potential genes regulating isoflavonoid biosynthesis in P. odoratum . To do this, we generated an overview of metabolic and secondary metabolic pathways, using MAPMAN, and identified 96 genes encoding seven key enzymes involved in isoflavonoid biosynthesis through their KEGG annotation. Alignment of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase or chalcone synthase amino acid sequences revealed well-conserved sequences, spatial structures, and active sites. We also verified the expression of key genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). This analysis of the isoflavonoid biosynthesis pathway and its crucial enzymes in P. odoratum lays the foundation for uncovering the regulatory mechanism of isoflavonoid biosynthesis.