Anti-herbivore Activity of Jasmonate-Induced Theaflavins: Integrated Multi-omics Reveals Flavonoid-Mediated Defense Strategies in Tea Plants.

Abstract

Flavonoids are key compounds that protect plants from environmental stress and benefit human health. Understanding their metabolism can lead to advances in agriculture and human health. By integrating transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics, quantitative analysis and insect behavioral bioassays, this study characterized tea (Camellia sinensis L.) flavonoid profiles and decoded their dynamic reprogramming in response to herbivory and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), which induced 41 and 31 differential metabolites, respectively, dominated by methylated and oxidized flavonoids and proanthocyanidins. Critically, the two treatments activated 22 and 20 flavonoid synthase genes, respectively, sharing 15 common genes. Moreover, this study characterized theaflavins as potent, JA-inducible defenses with structure-dependent efficacy at a low dose (1.25 μg/g), and identified key peroxidases and laccases involved in their biosynthesis. These metabolic markers bridge the gap between insect resistance and quality traits in breeding programs, paving the way for developing plant-derived, eco-friendly biopesticides.