Dynamic Profiling of Polymethoxyflavones and Biosynthetic Insights in the Peel of Citrus depressa During Fruit Development
- 1Fujian Key Laboratory of Subtropical Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Fujian Institute of Subtropical Botany, Xiamen 361006, China
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The peel of Citrus depressa Hayata is exceptionally rich in polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), particularly nobiletin, which exhibits diverse bioactivities. However, the developmental dynamics of PMF accumulation and its underlying molecular regulation remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize PMF profiles across peel development and to identify the key genes and critical stage governing nobiletin enrichment. Methods: Peel samples of C. depressa were collected at five developmental stages (S1–S5). Nobiletin content was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Widely targeted metabolomics was used to profile PMFs, and transcriptome sequencing combined with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to identify candidate structural genes. Expression patterns were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT–PCR). Results: Nobiletin showed a bimodal accumulation pattern, peaking at stages S1 and S4 (4.637 mg/g fresh weight at S4). Metabolomics identified 68 PMFs, among which nobiletin was the dominant component (44.5–51.5% of the total PMF peak-area signal). Transcriptome and WGCNA analyses revealed that OMT, CYP450, and UGT genes were co-upregulated at S4, with qRT–PCR confirming expression peaks coinciding with nobiletin accumulation. Conclusions: Nobiletin accumulates in a bimodal pattern in C. depressa peel, peaking at S4 (4.637 mg/g FW), which is identified as the optimal harvest window. The coordinated upregulation of O-methyltransferase (OMT), cytochrome P450 (CYP450), and UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) genes at S4 provides candidate targets for the directed utilization and molecular breeding of C. depressa.
Related
- Genome mining, antibacterial activity, and metabolomic profiling reveal the biosynthetic potential of Burkholderia glumae isolates from Thailand with activity against clinically important bacterial pathogens
- Impaired Brain Astrocytic Glycolysis in Neuropathic Pain: Insights from Transcriptomic Profiling to Metabolic Intervention
- Comprehensive circRNA Profiling Reveals a Testis-Specific circRNA circdmrt1 as a Novel Regulator of Gonadal Development in Crucian Carp
- Phytochemical Profiling and Anticancer Potential of Ipomoea hederifolia L. Root Extract: LC-MS Characterization and Molecular Docking Insights.
- Single-cell transcriptome profiling of post-treatment and treatment-naïve colorectal cancer: Insights into putative mechanisms of chemoresistance
BibTeX
@article{lin2026dynamic,
title = {{Dynamic Profiling of Polymethoxyflavones and Biosynthetic Insights in the Peel of Citrus depressa During Fruit Development}},
author = {Lixia Lin and Xueqin Zhang and Jianzhong Lin and Junmei Huang and Zanhua Zhong and Ruiyun Lai},
journal = {Metabolites},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/metabo16110847},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/16/11/847},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Dynamic Profiling of Polymethoxyflavones and Biosynthetic Insights in the Peel of Citrus depressa During Fruit Development
AU - Lixia Lin
AU - Xueqin Zhang
AU - Jianzhong Lin
AU - Junmei Huang
AU - Zanhua Zhong
AU - Ruiyun Lai
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
JO - Metabolites
DO - 10.3390/metabo16110847
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/16/11/847
AB - Background/Objectives: The peel of Citrus depressa Hayata is exceptionally rich in polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), particularly nobiletin, which exhibits diverse bioactivities. However, the developmental dynamics of PMF accumulation and its underlying molecular regulation remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize PMF profiles across peel development and to identify the key genes and critical stage governing nobiletin enrichment. Methods: Peel samples of C. depressa were collected at five developmental stages (S1–S5). Nobiletin content was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Widely targeted metabolomics was used to profile PMFs, and transcriptome sequencing combined with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to identify candidate structural genes. Expression patterns were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT–PCR). Results: Nobiletin showed a bimodal accumulation pattern, peaking at stages S1 and S4 (4.637 mg/g fresh weight at S4). Metabolomics identified 68 PMFs, among which nobiletin was the dominant component (44.5–51.5% of the total PMF peak-area signal). Transcriptome and WGCNA analyses revealed that OMT, CYP450, and UGT genes were co-upregulated at S4, with qRT–PCR confirming expression peaks coinciding with nobiletin accumulation. Conclusions: Nobiletin accumulates in a bimodal pattern in C. depressa peel, peaking at S4 (4.637 mg/g FW), which is identified as the optimal harvest window. The coordinated upregulation of O-methyltransferase (OMT), cytochrome P450 (CYP450), and UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) genes at S4 provides candidate targets for the directed utilization and molecular breeding of C. depressa.
SN - 2218-1989
ER -