Elucidating the Biosynthesis of Prenylated Stilbenoids in Peanut through an Integrated Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Approach

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) produces stilbenoids upon exposure to abiotic and biotic stresses. Among these compounds, the prenylated stilbenoids exhibit higher or novel biological activities in vitro when compared to their nonprenylated analogs. However, assessment of these bioactivities in vivo has been challenging because of their limited availability. Herein, hairy root cultures of peanut were used to produce prenylated stilbenoids. Co-treatment of the hairy root cultures with the elicitor methyl jasmonate and cyclodextrin led to sustained high levels of prenylated stilbenoids which were characterized by HPLC and mass spectrometry. To identify genes involved in the biosynthesis of prenylated stilbenoids, RNA-Seq analysis was performed with samples of elicited peanut hairy roots.  These studies led to the identification and functional characterization of the first stilbenoid-specific prenyltransferase gene. We demonstrated the feasibility of hairy root cultures to elucidate the biosynthesis bioactive compounds with applications for plant and human health.