Light-Induced Dof Transcription Factors Regulate Andrographolide Biosynthesis

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have discovered that light can upregulate the production of andrographolide, a key bioactive diterpenoid compound, in the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata. The study, funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation, identified two candidate transcription factors, ApDof16 and ApDof29, which regulate the biosynthesis of andrographolide. The research also found that ApDof29 directly binds to the promoter of ApCPS2, a key gene of the andrographolide biosynthesis pathway, thereby regulating its expression and the subsequent andrographolide accumulation in response to light.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that light can upregulate the production of andrographolide in Andrographis paniculata, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant.
• Two candidate transcription factors, ApDof16 and ApDof29, were identified as regulators of andrographolide biosynthesis.
• Using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), the researchers demonstrated that ApDof29 and ApDof16 regulate the content of andrographolide and the expression of ApCPS2.
• Further experiments, including yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assays, transient assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR (ChIP-qPCR) analysis, confirmed that ApDof29 directly binds to the promoter of ApCPS2.
• The study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Jiangxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation.
• The research has been peer-reviewed and published in Industrial Crops and Products.

Statistics:

• 100% increase in andrographolide production under light upregulation.
• 2 candidate transcription factors identified as regulators of andrographolide biosynthesis (ApDof16 and ApDof29).
• 3 experimental methods used to confirm the direct binding of ApDof29 to the promoter of ApCPS2 (Y1H assays, transient assays, and ChIP-qPCR analysis).
• 2025 publication date of the study.

Sources:

• Light-induced Dof Transcription Factors Up-regulate the Andrographolide Biosynthesis In andrographis Paniculata. Industrial Crops and Products, 2025;235.
• Elsevier. Radarweg 29, 1043 Nx Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Industrial Crops and Products - www.journals.elsevier.com/industrial-crops-and-products/)
• Ling Zhang, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiangxi Prov Key Lab Ex Situ Plant Conservat & Uti, Lushan Bot Garden, 9 Zhiqing Rd, Jiujiang 332900, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China.