Understanding the biosynthesis and regulatory mechanisms of bioactive compounds in Taraxacum species (dandelions), a model system for natural rubber, food, and medicinal plant biology

Abstract

Plants that belong to the genus Taraxacum are commonly referred to as dandelions; these are some of the most evolved plants in the Asteraceae, with more than 2000 species distributed worldwide. Dandelions not only include medicinal plants but also rubber-producing plants. Recent advances in biotechnology and the growing demand for dandelions have increased research attention toward dandelions. Owing to the availability of the whole genome sequence of Taraxacum kok-saghyz, and Taraxacum mongolicum (accession no. GWHBCHF00000000 and GWHAAAA00000000), and large transcriptome and metabolome databases for T. kok-saghyz, Taraxacum officinale, T. mongolicum, and Taraxacum antungense (accession no. PRJNA378120, PRJEB48186, PRJNA897666, and PRJNA578773), significant progress has been made in understanding the biosynthesis and regulatory mechanisms of phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, rubber, and other bioactive compounds. This review focuses on Taraxacum spp.; specifically, We describe the following: (1) the recent results of genetic transformation systems, (2) biosynthetic pathways of bioactive compounds and natural rubber, (3) cross-talk in the biosynthesis of different secondary metabolites, (4) the relevance of the environment and the reproductive mode of dandelions in secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and (5) future research directives for dandelions. This review also lays the foundation for further research on other medicinal and edible plants.

Keywords:

• Asteraceae
• bioactive compounds
• medicinal plant
• rubber
• secondary metabolite
• Taraxacum spp

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Fund of China [Grant numbers: 82073963 and 82003437], The Major Science and Technology Projects of Breeding New Varieties of Agriculture in Zhejiang Province [Grant number: 2021C02074-3], Jiangsu Institute of Botany Talent Fund [Grant number: JIBTF202201], funds by the Jiangsu Key Laboratory for the Research and Utilization of Plant Resources [Grant number: JSPKLB202201], and Forestry Science and Technology Promotion Project in the central budget [Grant number: 2019TG04]. Funds were used for the collection and analysis of data in this study, as well as for the open access payment. Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Basic Research Program-Youth Fund Project [Grant numbers: BK20220753].