The Houttuynia cordata genome provides insights into the regulatory mechanism of flavonoid biosynthesis in Yuxingcao

Houttuynia cordata Thunb., also known as Yuxingcao in Chinese, is a perennial herb in the Saururaceae family. It is highly regarded for its medicinal properties, particularly in treating respiratory infections and inflammatory conditions, as well as boosting the human immune system. However, the lack of genomic information has hindered research on the functional genomics and potential improvements of H. cordata. In this study, we present the assembly of a near-complete genome of H. cordata and investigate the biosynthesis pathway of flavonoids, specifically quercetin, using genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics analysis. The genome of H. cordata diverged from Saururus chinensis around 33.4 million years ago and consists of 2.24 Gb with 76 chromosomes (4n = 76), which underwent three whole-genome duplication (WGD) events. These WGDs played a crucial role in shaping H. cordata's genome and influencing gene families associated with its medicinal properties. Through metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis, we identified key genes involved in the β-oxidation process for houttuynin biosynthesis, one of the volatile oils responsible for its fishy-smell. Additionally, utilizing the reference genome, we effectively identified genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, particularly quercetin metabolism in H. cordata. This discovery has paramount implications for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of active pharmaceutical ingredient production in traditional Chinese medicine. Overall, the high-quality genome of H. cordata serves as a crucial resource for future functional genomics research and provides a solid foundation for genetic improvement of H. cordata for the benefit of human health.