Metabolite changes in response to Chrysomyxa deformans infection of Picea schrenkiana based on non-targeted metabolomic analysis

Utilizing non-targeted metabolomics technology to investigate the impact of Chrysomyxa deformans (Diet.) Jacz. on the metabolites of P.schrenkiana. The findings aim to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of rust disease in P.schrenkiana.

In this study, current-year healthy and diseased P. schrenkiana shoots and leaves were collected, a non-targeted metabolomics study was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technology. The differences in metabolites between healthy and diseased P. schrenkiana were compared, thresholds of P > 1.0, fold change > 1.500 or fold change < 0.667 and P < 0.05 were set for screen differential metabolites and the metabolic pathways were annotated through the KEGG database. Furthermore, in-depth analysis of the folate biosynthesis pathway, the diterpenoid biosynthesis pathway, and the butyrate metabolism pathway was conducted.

Significant differences were observed in the metabolites of healthy and diseased P.schrenkiana. There were 570 and 418 significantly different metabolites (SDMs) in the positive and negative ion modes, respectively. The differential metabolic products were mainly annotated to environmental information processing, genetic information processing, and metabolic pathways. Data analysis from the KEGG bubble chart indicated that the folate biosynthesis pathway, diterpenoid biosynthesis pathway, and butyrate metabolism pathway played crucial roles in the pathogenesis process of the pathogen on the host.

Rust fungus infection significantly affects the metabolites of P. schrenkiana, and metabolomics analysis suggests that the pathogen may trigger the occurrence of P. schrenkiana rust disease through changes in major secondary metabolites in the folate metabolism pathway, butyrate metabolism pathway, and diterpene biosynthesis pathway.