Metabolic pools of phenolic acids in Salvia miltiorrhiza are enhanced by co-expression of Antirrhinum majus Delila and Rosea1 transcription factors

Phenolic acids are universally distributed in plant species, where they participate in numerous bioactivities. However, their low abundance in Salvia miltiorrhiza is a perplexing problem. We examined the heterologous expression of two transcription factors, Delila (DEL) and Rosea1 (ROS1), from Antirrhinum majus in genetically modified S. miltiorrhiza. Productions of rosmarinic acid (RA) and salvianolic acid B (Sal B) were significantly elevated during normal growth stages. Contents of other phenylpropanoid metabolites were enhanced and antioxidant activity was markedly stronger. Both SmCHS and SmRAS were stimulated by co-expression of DEL and ROS1. Because levels of phenylpropanoid metabolites were increased while both were co-expressed in S. miltiorrhiza, we believe that this will be a useful strategy for improving the contents of phenolic acids (especially RA and Sal B) in this species.

► The increased phenylpropane metabolites resulted in the enhancements of antioxidant activities.
► Rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B were significantly accumulated during different growth stages.
► Transgenic lines with the similar transcription profiles of AnRosea1 and AnDelila had higher contents of metabolites.