Cutleaf groundcherry ( Physalis angulata L.) is an annual plant with a number of medicinal ingredients. However, studies about the secondary metabolism of P. angulata are very limited. An integrated metabolome and proteome approach was used to reveal the variations in the metabolism associated with bioactive compounds under methyl-jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. Application of MeJA to the hairy roots could significantly increase the accumulation of most active ingredients. A targeted approach confirmed the variations in physalins D and H between MeJA treatment and the controls. Increases in the levels of a number of terpenoid backbone biosynthesis and steroid biosynthesis related enzymes, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and 3β-hydroxysterioid dehydrogenase might provide a potential explanation for the MeJA-induced active ingredient synthesis. Our results may contribute to a deeper understanding of the regulation mechanism underlying the MeJA-induced active compound accumulation in P. angulata.
Keywords: MeJA treatment; Physalis; metabolome; physalins; proteome; steroid.