药用植物功能基因的研究思路与展望——以甘草为例

近些年来有关功能基因的研究已成为药用植物研究领域的热点,研究内容涉及基因克隆、功能鉴定、多态性分析、表达模式分析以及功能基因与代谢途径的相关性分析等诸多方面。甘草是我国最常用的大宗药材之一,其主要活性成分为甘草酸,具有多种药理功能,在国内外市场上应用广泛。本文以甘草为例,对甘草酸代谢途径中已报道的功能基因进行调查研究,在基因克隆、基因功能、基因多态性等方面进行分析,以期为揭示甘草酸合成代谢的分子机制奠定基础,并为其他药用植物功能基因的研究提供思路。

Research Ideas and Prospects of Functional Genes Involved in Medicinal Plants, Such as Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma

In recent years, study of functional genes has become a hot area of research in medicinal plants. Research contents include gene cloning, characterization, polymorphism analysis, expression pattern analysis and relationship analysis between functional genes and metabolic pathway. The roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis are widely used in China. Besides the medicinal value, they are also used as industrial raw materials and tobacco additives. Among all of the natural active components glycyrrhizic acid is believed to be the marker compound to characterize the quality of this Chinese herb. Many studies have shown that glycyrrhizic acid possesses various biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antiturmor and immune-stimulating activities. In this paper the cloning, characterization and polymorphism of functional genes involved in glycyrrhizic acid biosynthesis in G. uralensis were analyzed. This work is significant for further studies concerned with strengthening the efficacy of G. uralensis by means of improved glycyrrhizic acid content and providing research ideas for functional gene studies in other medicinal plants.