A simple widely applicable hairy root transformation method for gene function studies in medicinal plants.
10.1016/j.apsb.2025.03.038
- Author:
Xue CAO
1
;
Zhenfen QIN
1
;
Panhui FAN
1
;
Sifan WANG
1
;
Xiangxiao MENG
1
;
Huihua WAN
1
;
Wei YANG
1
;
Shilin CHEN
2
;
Hui YAO
3
;
Weiqiang CHEN
1
;
Wei SUN
1
Author Information
1. State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
2. Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China.
3. State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
GuUGT1;
GuUGT10;
Hairy root transformation;
Liquiritin;
Medicinal plants
- From:
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B
2025;15(8):4300-4305
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Genetic transformation is a fundamental tool in molecular biology research of medicinal plants. Tailoring transgenic technologies to each distinct medicinal plant would necessitate a substantial investment of time and effort. Here, we present a simple hairy root transformation method that does not require sterile conditions, utilizing Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain K599 and the visible RUBY reporter system. Transgenic hairy roots were obtained for six tested medicinal plant species, roots or rhizomes of which have recognized medicinal value, spanning four botanical families and six genera (Platycodon grandiflorus, Atractylodes macrocephala, Scutellaria baicalensis, Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis). Furthermore, two previously identified Glycyrrhiza uralensis UGTs that convert liquiritigenin into liquiritin in heterologous systems were studied in planta using the method. Our results indicate that overexpression of GuUGT1 but not GuUGT10 and Cas9-mediated knockout of GuUGT1 profoundly influenced the accumulation of liquiritin and isoliquiritin in licorice roots. Therefore, the method described here represents a simple, rapid and widely applicable hairy root transformation method that enables fast gene functional study in medicinal plants.
