Integrated Metabolomics and Phytochemical Genomics Approaches for Studies on St. John’s Wort

Metabolomics is widely applied for investigation of the correlation between metabolites and genes responsible for the synthesis of the particular sets of metabolites. In this review, we discuss metabolomics research on Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort) to elucidate the overall regulation of the metabolism related to the mechanisms of natural variations and environmental stresses such as fungal infections, light stresses, and chemical elicitors. We also focus on phytochemical genomics and genomic information. St. John’s Wort is a medicinal plant with high potential of producing hypericin used for mild depression remedy, so knowledge on the biosynthetic pathway of unique metabolites is fundamental for their biotechnological commercial production. These metabolites have often complex biosynthetic pathway and it is challenging to identify all of the catalyzing enzymes. The development of metabolic systems biology could open new channels for high-speed construction and evaluation of hypotheses for cellular regulatory systems.