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Article|30 Mar 2026|OPEN
Deciphering flavonoids and terpenoids biosynthesis through chromosomal-level genome, metabolome, and transcriptome integration in Spuriopimpinella brachycarpa
Qian Zhao1 ,† , Fu Wang1 ,† , Yiqiao Ma1,2 ,† , Shuyao Li1 , Ruidong Sun1 , Peng Di3 , Lei Gong4 , Xiujuan Lei3 , , Bao Liu4 , and Aisheng Xiong5 , , Jian Zhang,1,6 ,
1Faculty of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
2Jilin Academy of Vegetable and Flower Science, Changchun 130033, China
3College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
4Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
5College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
6Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan V1V1V7, Canada
*Corresponding author. E-mail: xiujuanl@jlau.edu.cn,baoliu@nenu.edu.cn,xiongaisheng@njau.edu.cn,jian.zhang@ubc.ca
Qian Zhao,Fu Wang and Yiqiao Ma contributed equally to the study.

Horticulture Research 13,
Article number: uhag107 (2026)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhag107
Views: 64

Received: 26 Oct 2025
Accepted: 18 Mar 2026
Published online: 30 Mar 2026

Abstract

Spuriopimpinella brachycarpa (2n = 2x = 22), a perennial Apiaceae herb traditionally consumed in Northeast China, is rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and terpenoids and possesses both medicinal and comestible value. However, the metabolic mechanisms underlying these traits remain unclear due to the lack of genomic resources. Here, we present the first chromosome-level genome assembly of S. brachycarpa (4.12 Gb; scaffold N50 = 358.95 Mb; 11 chromosomes). Comparative genomics analysis revealed two postdivergence whole-genome duplication (WGD) events in Apiaceae and a close phylogenetic relationship between S. brachycarpa and Daucus carota (carrot). Metabolomic profiling indicated that flavonoids, dominated by flavanols and flavones, are most actively synthesized in leaves, with their biosynthesis likely regulated by the MYB transcription factor SbraChr11G00348720.1. Terpenoids, primarily monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, accumulated predominantly under cultivated conditions, demonstrating habitat-specific patterns. Transcriptomic analysis further identified two key terpene synthase genes—SbraChr6G00204720.1 (TPS-a subfamily) and SbraChr3G00078100.1 (TPS-b subfamily)—associated with sesquiterpene and monoterpene biosynthesis, respectively. By integrative genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic data, this study systematically elucidates the biosynthesis basis of major secondary metabolites in S. brachycarpa and provides a valuable genetic resource for comparative genomics and molecular breeding in Apiaceae crops.