Abstract
Integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics may provide precise information on regulatory networks of metabolic pathways. To identify key genes which control productivity of certain metabolites in Arabidopsis thaliana, we analyze gene expression profiles by DNA microarray and metabolite profiles by combination of mass spectrometry. The suspension-cultured A. thaliana cells, T87, is suitable for this analysis because of its homogeneity. First of all, we investigate the transcriptome of T87 in normal growth conditions. Transcripts involved in chloroplast function were maintained at high levels, suggesting that T87 is applicable for analyzing metabolic pathways in chloroplast. By methyl jasmonate treatment, transcripts of jasmonate biosynthesis genes increased within 1 hr and gradually decreased. Similar pattern was observed for genes encoding monoterpene synthase, 4-coumarate-CoA ligases, a few kind of transcription factors, P450s and glycosyltransferases. Functional analysis of these genes through a comparison with metabolome analysis is now in progress.
