Numerous data obtained in recent years indicates an integrative effect of biotic and abiotic stress factors on central andsecondary plant metabolism. Intensive development of different technologicalplatforms, including chromatography analysis, intensifies such a field ofsystem biology as metabolomics. Metabolicprofiling becomes to be an important tool to discover integrative plantadaptation mechanisms. The suggested Project is a rare example of complexinvestigation of whole metabolic pathways combining central and secondarymetabolism. As a plant object we choose the Valerianaceae family well known forits medicinal plants representatives. Initial medicinal properties have beendemonstrated for Valeriana officinalis butthe Valerianaceae family contains 10 genera and approximately 300 species.Chromatography fingerprinting discovered specificity of phytochemicalcomposition among species. Along with that some evidences pointed thedependence of metabolites profiles on conditions of vegetation. Nevertheless,not much is known about stress-induced acceleration of synthesis andaccumulation of bioactive compounds in Valerianaplants. This year metabolic alterations were discovered under water deficiency.Moreover a number of keys genes involvedin the implementation of secondary metabolites network of V. officinalis were alsopredicted.

In suggested Project we will focus onmetabolic alterations under conditions of oxygen deprivation. This type ofstress factors is important because areal of Valeriana plants includes mushes (flooded area) and mountainousarea reaching 2200 meters above sea level (also known for hypobaric hypoxia). Theplanned study investigates the complex molecular responses of Valeriana plants, shedding light ontheir survival strategies in challenging environmental conditions.

The aim of the Project is:

To elucidate the peculiarities of centraland secondary metabolism of Valerianaspecies growing under condition of waterlogging and hypobaric hypoxia.Additionally, genes expression analysis will evaluate the effect of hypobarichypoxia on expression the genes responsible for secondary metabolites produced(e.g., sesquiterpenes) in Valerianaspecies.

Both scientific groups are will qualifiedand have an experience in the application of chromatography (GS-MS in SPbSU andHPLC in University of Tehran) and expression analysis. Previous results werepublished in high quality journals, including Q1.

Working plan and time-schedule for theproject, including visits exchange, is enclosed in Project description.

Data obtained during the project are plannedto have important feedback in different aspects:

- To point out the mainmetabolic adaptation to such stress factors as waterlogging and hypobarichypoxia;

- To reveal species specificity of dynamics ofcentral metabolism and accumulation of biologically active compounds precisefor Valeriana;

- To disclose metabolic acclimation fordifferent organs of pant (shoots and roots) and different ecological niches (marsh, mountains);

- To develop a scheme of alteration inmetabolic pathways in Valeriana species during oxygen deficiency stress

- To reveal gene expression changes in Valerianaspecies under hypobaric hypoxia and normal conditions.

A short visit of Associate Professor V.V. Yemelyanov and Assistant ProfessorP.D. Smirnov for one week to University of Tehran is planned foracquaintance with facilities of the laboratory of prof. R. Naghavi, for exchange of plant samples that will beused during the analysis, for discussion of the results obtained and furtherprospects for joint research.

Obtained results are planned to be published in periodic scientific journal WoS/Scopuscitation, Q1 rating.

Accumulated experimental results andsupported literature review will be used for the update of lecturing courses “Receptionand Signal Transduction in Plants” (Lecturer Prof M.Shishova); “Medicinal Plantand its Use in Biotechnology“, “Biochemistry of Medicinal Plants“ (Lecture AssociateProf. V.Yemelyanov).

In the case established collaboration isfruitful it will be continued. We are looking for a facility to apply forfinancial support from bilateral program between The Iran National ScienceFoundation (INSF) and the Russian Science Foundation (RSF). Among 15collaborative projects (https://insf.org/en/news/582/insf-rsf-first-joint-call-results)  only few werefocused on Life science and Health research. Thus the subject of our proposedcollaborative project directed on shedding light on plant adaptation of stressfactors resulting in emphasising synthesis of secondary metabolites inmedicinal plant has required novelty and relevance.