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CM-21

Cytochemical investigation of triterpene enhancement in Dendrobium

officinale via PDS gene silencing

2
4,5
1
Aqsa Baig, Adeel Akram, Li-Jen Lin, Ying-Wen Huang, Ming-Kuem Lin* ,2
3

1 Graduate Institute of Biological Science and Technology, College of Life Sciences, China
Medical University, Taichung 404328.
2 Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, College
of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan.
3 School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University,
Taichung 404328, Taiwan.
4 Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, Advanced Plant Biotechnology Center, National Chung
Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
5 Advanced Plant Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227,
Taiwan.
* E-mail: linmk@mail.cmu.edu.tw

Abstract
Dendrobium officinale is a traditional medicinal orchid valued for its triterpenes and
terpenoids, which exhibit pharmacological and industrial potential. In this study, we applied
Virus-Induced Gene Silencing strategy to suppress the phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene using
Cymbidium mosaic Virus (CymMV), to redirect metabolic flux toward enhanced triterpene
biosynthesis. Three groups were analyzed: Untreated healthy leaves, CymMV-GFP-infected
plants (viral vector control), and CymMV-PDS-infected plants (silencing group). Metabolites
were extracted via methanol extraction and rotary evaporation, and subsequently profiled by
LC-MS/MS. Results demonstrated a significant increase in triterpene accumulation in CymMV-
PDS-treated plants compared to both control samples. Complementary RNA sequencing
analysis further revealed differential regulation of key isoprenoid/triterpene biosynthetic genes,
including geranyl diphosphate synthase, farnesyl diphosphate synthase, geranylgeranyl
diphosphate synthase, and gqualene synthase, which were upregulated in response to PDS
silencing. These findings suggest that silencing of PDS not only modulates carotenoid
metabolism but also enhances the terpenoid pathway, thereby promoting higher triterpene
production. Collectively, this work highlights a novel strategy for metabolic engineering of D.
officinale and provides a foundation for developing new varieties with elevated secondary
metabolites for applications in medicine, perfumery, and other industries.

Keywords: Dendrobium officinale; Triterpenes; Terpenoids; PDS gene; Metabolic engineering