# Uncovering the Molecular Response of Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) to 12C6+ Heavy-Ion Irradiation Through Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analyses

## TL;DR

This study explores how oregano responds at the molecular level to heavy-ion irradiation, revealing changes in genes and metabolites linked to terpenoid production.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific genes and metabolic pathways affected by heavy-ion irradiation in oregano, offering insights for metabolic engineering.

## Key findings

- Heavy-ion irradiation caused significant morphological and metabolic changes in oregano.
- Differentially expressed genes were enriched in terpenoid biosynthesis pathways.
- Key genes like TPS3 and CYP71D178 were linked to the accumulation of carvacrol and thymol.

## Abstract

Origanum vulgare L., a medicinal herb rich in bioactive phenols and terpenes, is recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Heavy-ion beam mutagenesis, a sophisticated breeding technique, can induce significant variations in plants, thereby affecting their secondary metabolite production. This study utilized metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches to investigate the effects of 12C6+ heavy-ion irradiation on oregano. Our results indicated substantial changes in mutant lines, including marked alterations in plant height, leaf morphology, and biomass accumulation. Metabolomic analysis indicated that the differentially accumulated volatile compounds were primarily terpenoids. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis indicated a predominant enrichment of differentially expressed genes in terpenoid biosynthesis. Integrated analyses identified key transcriptional changes in genes encoding terpenoid backbone enzymes, such as GPPS, GGPPS, DXS, and HMGR, and pinpointed candidate genes, including TPS3, TPS6A, TPS6C, CYP71D178, CYP71D181, and CYP71D10B, whose expression patterns were closely associated with the differential accumulation of carvacrol and thymol. This comprehensive study elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic reprogramming induced by heavy-ion irradiation in oregano and offers valuable genetic resources for future metabolic engineering and precision breeding initiatives aimed at enhancing the production of valuable bioactive compounds.