基于多组学的黄芩活性成分生物合成及合成生物学研究进展

Research progress in biosynthesis and synthetic biology of active ingredients of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi based on multi-omics approach

黄芩作为大宗常用中药,具有清热燥湿、泻火解毒等功效,在近期暴发的新型冠状病毒肺炎(coronavirus disease 2019,COVID-19)的治疗中作用显著.黄芩主要活性成分为一类特殊的黄酮类化合物,在黄芩属之外的物种中罕见,其生物合成途径及体外合成生物学研究是国际关注热点.中药黄芩基原植物存在野生资源短缺、人工栽培种质退化、质量不稳定等问题.多组学技术的应用和发展,可从分子层面揭示药用植物遗传信息及活性成分合成和调控机制,推动中药科学研究和实践应用.本文系统总结了黄芩基因组、转录组、蛋白质组、代谢组等多组学的研究进展,归纳了黄芩活性成分生物合成途径关键酶的鉴定、转录因子的调控研究及黄芩苷类化合物的微生物体外生产,并提出未来亟待解决的科学问题,如基因组辅助育种、黄芩生长发育及活性成分合成及调控机制、活性成分体外合成产率优化等,为有效解决黄芩优良种质资源的培育及质量问题奠定了基础.

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is a common kind of traditional Chinese medicine;it promotes heat-clearing and detoxification and has been used to treat coronavirus disease 2019.Scutellaria baicalensis contains a unique group of flavonoids that are largely distributed within the Scutellaria species.As such,there is significant interest in research focused on the metabolic pathways that promote endogenous flavonoid production and methods that might be used for their in vitro biosynthesis.However,as is the case with various Chinese medicinal herbs,there are still many challenges to overcome including shortage of wild resources,degradation associated with the cultivated germplasm,and instability leading to uneven product quality.The use of a multiomics approach will provide genetic information as well as insights into the endogenous mechanisms of flavonoid biosynthesis and their regulation,thus promoting frontier research and practical application of traditional Chinese medicine.In this study,we presented a systematic review of genomics,transcriptomics,proteomics,and metabolomics associated with S.baicalensis;our current understanding of the functional genes that promote biosynthesis in vivo as well as the methods that facilitate the in vitro biosynthesis of active compounds are summarized.We also discussed the critical factors associated with further development of S.baicalensis including the cultivation of enriched varieties through genome-assisted breeding,regulatory mechanisms associated with plant growth and development,and optimization of conditions that promote biosynthesis of active compounds both in vivo and in vitro.This review provides a foundation for determining effective solutions for issues associated with the cultivation of S.baicalensis and for the production of high quality products.