The integration of metabolome and proteome reveals bioactive polyphenols and hispidin in ARTP mutagenized Phellinus baumii.

Phellinus baumii, also called “Sang Huang” in China, is broadly used as a kind of health food or folk medicine in Asia for its high biological activities, e.g. anti-tumor, anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory activities. Although some previous studies have indicated that polysaccharides and flavonoids showed the activity of inhibiting tumor cells, the active metabolites of P. baumii needs further research. In our study, a stable P. baumii mutant (A67), generated by ARTP mutagenesis strategy, showed more significantly inhibiting tumor cells and enhancing antioxidant activity. Our further studies found that the increase of polyphenols content, especially hispidin, was an important reason of the biological activity enhancement of A67. According to the results of the integrated metabolome and proteome study, the increase of polyphenol content was caused by upregulation of the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. This study expanded the understanding of active compounds and metabolic pathway of P. baumii.