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Metabolome-based genome-wide association study provides genetic insights into the andrographolide accumulation in Andrographis paniculata.

Yuxia Wang·Xu Li·Bin Jin·Jiawen Chen·Duan Wu·Qi Shen
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Abstract

Andrographis paniculata is a distinctive medicinal plant that produces andrographolide-related metabolites, a class of diterpenoid compounds with potent anti-inflammatory activities. To elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of these compounds, we perform comprehensive metabolic profiling and whole-genome resequencing on a natural population of A. paniculata. Population structure analysis reveals four distinct subgroups characterized by low intra-group genetic diversity but significant inter-group differentiation. Through metabolome-based genome-wide association study, we identify a significant locus associated with 14-deoxyandrographolide content. This locus harbors the candidate gene ApNB-ARC25 (CXN00004106), which encodes an NB-ARC domain-containing resistance protein. Functional characterization using virus-induced gene silencing shows that silencing of ApNB-ARC25 significantly reduces andrographolide accumulation and downregulates expressions of key genes in the andrographolide biosynthetic pathway. Heterologous overexpression of ApNB-ARC25 in rice not only improves resistance to blast disease but also enhances diterpenoid phytoalexin production. Our findings reveal that ApNB-ARC25 promotes diterpenoid accumulation and andrographolide biosynthesis by upregulating key genes involved in terpenoid backbone formation and diterpenoid synthesis. This work not only expands the functional understanding of the ApNB-ARC gene family but also provides a genetic resource for enhancing valuable compound accumulation in medicinal plants, offering important insights into the molecular regulation of medicinal metabolite biosynthesis.

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DiterpenesGenome-Wide Association StudyAndrographisMetabolomeGene Expression Regulation, PlantPlant ProteinsARC gene familyAndrographis paniculataAndrographolideGene functionmGWASJournal Article

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Yuxia Wang, Xu Li, Bin Jin, Jiawen Chen, Duan Wu, Qi Shen. 2026-03-20. Metabolome-based genome-wide association study provides genetic insights into the andrographolide accumulation in Andrographis paniculata.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgg.2026.03.013

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