Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Reveal the Role of Metabolites and Genes in Modulating Flower Color of Paphiopedilum micranthum

Food-deceptive flowers primarily use visual signals (such as color) to mimic model plants and deceive insects into achieving pollination. Paphiopedilum micranthum is a food-deceptive orchid that has pink labellum two purple petals with yellow base been proven be pollinated by bumblebees. However, the chemical molecular bases of floral color are not well understood. We conducted targeted metabolite profiling transcriptomic analysis determine signal its genetic basis in P. micranthum. found both anthocyanins carotenoids contribute significantly formation determines signal. Higher concentrations (cyanidin peonidin) (primarily lutein zeaxanthin) were detected petal compared labellum. The upregulation structural genes CHS, F3′H, DFR ANS on anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway was identified, three LCYE, BCH, CCD4 carotenoid pathway. Furthermore, we discovered R2R3-MYBs one bHLH transcription factors co-expressed expression different genes. These may responsible for spatial difference Our study emphasizes this orchids achieved through specific associated pigment