LC-MS/MS targeting analysis of terpenoid metabolism in Carya cathayensis at different developmental stages

Terpenoid metabolism at different developmental stages of Carya cathayensis was elucidated based on LC-MS/MS analysis and multi-omics. Terpenoid metabolites 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphoquinone and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid reached the maximum at 105 days after pollination (DAP) (P2 stage). To reveal the complex mechanism of C. cathayensis embryogenesis in relation to terpenoid metabolites (90–165 DAP), a metabolomic and transcriptional co-expression analysis was conducted. Based on RNA-Seq analysis, 679 genes of 1144 terpenoid biosynthesis were differentially expressed. Six terpenoid metabolites and 86 differentially expressed genes related to terpenoquinone metabolism were identified. Comprehensive analysis of metabolome and transcriptional data revealed that terpenoquinone accumulated in the early phase was active in the later phase. Overall, we profiled the transcriptome and metabolome changes in C. cathayensis during the developmental phase to investigate the metabolic pathways and candidate genes underlying the changes at different growth stages.