Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2025, Vol.15, No.5, 202-210 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 206 5.2 Network-level understanding of biosynthetic regulation The combination of multi-omics helps us better understand the regulatory mechanisms of secondary metabolites of Torreya grandis, such as β -sitosterol, flavonoids and amino acids. The research by Zhang et al. (2023) indicates that SQS (squalene synthase) plays a core role in the synthesis of β -sitosterol, and its expression is directly regulated by the WRKY transcription factor. Regarding flavonoid synthesis, TgERF114 and TgDOF5 can activate the promoter of TgDFR6, thereby promoting flavonoid accumulation under low-phosphorus conditions (Wang et al., 2024). Lou et al. (2022) found that in amino acid synthesis, the expression of TgDAHP2 and TgASA1 is related to the content of multiple amino acids and is positively regulated by multiple transcription factors. These results indicate that the metabolic regulation of Torreya grandis is a multi-level network. 5.3 Designing synthetic biology strategies guided by omics data Multi-omics achievements have provided new possibilities for the design of Torreya grandis in synthetic biology. In 2023, Zhang et al. demonstrated through functional verification that some key enzymes and transcription factors can directly affect the synthesis of metabolites. For instance, the heterologous expression of SQS can significantly increase the content of β -sitosterol and enhance drought resistance. Modifying the regulatory elements of genes related to flavonoid and amino acid synthesis is expected to breed new varieties with both high functionality and high adaptability (Lou et al., 2022; Tao et al., 2024; Wang et al., 2024). Proteomics and metabolomics are helpful for screening genotypes with high stress resistance or high nutritional value and providing molecular targets for industrial development (Lou et al., 2019; Yu et al., 2022). 6 Case Study: Application of Synthetic Biology in Torreya grandis 6.1 Background: target traits Torreya grandis is an economic forest tree species unique to China. Its kernel contains a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, β -sitosterol, vitamin E (tocopherol), amino acids and various types of flavonoids. These components make it highly valuable both in nutrition and medicine. How to increase oil yield and increase the contents of active substances such as β -sitosterol, flavonoids, amino acids and tocopherols is the key goal of synthetic biology in the utilization of Torreya grandis (Lou et al., 2019; Lou et al., 2022; Zhang et al., 2023; Tao et al., 2024; Wang et al., 2024). 6.2 Research methods: pathway reconstruction, metabolic profiling, validation At present, the research on Torreya grandis in synthetic biology mainly covers several aspects. One is the reconstruction of metabolic pathways. Researchers cloned and identified key enzyme genes such as TgSQS, TgDFR6, TgDAHP2, TgASA1, TgVTE2b and TgVTE4, and introduced them into model plants for heterologous expression to reveal the synthetic mechanisms of lipids and secondary metabolites (Zhang et al., 2023; Wang et al., 2024). The other one is the combination of multi-omics. The combined analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome can reveal the accumulation pattern and regulatory mode of metabolites of Torreya grandis at different developmental stages or under stress (Lou et al., 2019; Tao et al., 2024). In terms of functional validation, researchers often use model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana. After overexpressing the target gene, they detect the changes in oil and active components and evaluate the stress resistance performance of the plants, thereby confirming the function of the gene (Lou et al., 2022). Research on the regulation of transcription factors is also advancing. Zhang et al. (2023) and Wang et al. (2024) discovered through yeast single-hybrid and dual-luciferase experiments that TgWRKY3, TgERF114 and TgDOF5 can directly regulate some key metabolic genes. 6.3 Outcomes: improved production efficiency, ecological implications, industrial prospects These synthetic biology methods have brought about obvious effects. For instance, the overexpression of TgSQS can significantly increase the content of β -sitosterol and enhance the drought resistance of plants at the same time. Overexpression of TgDAHP2 and TgASA1 increased amino acid levels (Lou et al., 2022; Tao et al., 2024). Some metabolic engineering strategies can also make Torreya grandis more adapted to environments such as drought and low phosphorus (Zhang et al., 2023; Wang et al., 2024). These achievements not only increased the accumulation of functional components in kernels, but also provided molecular resources and theoretical support for the development of functional foods and the sustainable development of the Torreya grandis industry (Lou et al., 2019; Tao et al., 2024).
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