Metabolome and transcriptome profiling unveil the mechanisms of light-induced anthocyanin synthesis in rabbiteye blueberry (vaccinium ashei: Reade)

Abstract

Background Blueberry is one of the most important fruit crops worldwide. Anthocyanin is an important secondary metabolites that affects the appearance and nutritive quality of blueberries. However, few studies have focused on the molecular mechanism underlying anthocyanin accumulation induced by light intensity in blueberries. Results The metabolic analysis revealed that there were 134 significantly changed metabolites in the natural light compared to the control, and flavone, flavonol, and anthocyanins were the most significantly increased. Transcriptome analysis found 6 candidate genes for the anthocyanin synthesis pathway. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) results confirmed changes in the expression levels of genes encoding metabolites involved in the flavonoid synthesis pathways. The flavonoid metabolic flux in the light intensity-treatment increased the accumulation of delphinidin-3-O-arabinoside compared to under the shading-treatment. Furthermore, we performed qRT-PCR analysis of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes and predicted that the gene of VcF3’5’H4 may be a candidate gene for anthocyanin accumulation and is highly expressed in light intensity-treated fruit. Through the co-expression analysis of transcription factors and anthocyanin synthesis pathway genes, we found that the VcbHLH004 gene may regulate VcF3’5’H4, and then we transformed VcbHLH004 heterologously into tomato to verify its function. Conclusion These results provide novel insights into light intensity regulation of blueberry anthocyanin accumulation and represent a valuable data set to guide future functional studies and blueberry breeding.

Metabolomics Combined with Transcriptomics Analysis Revealed the Amino Acids, Phenolic Acids, and Flavonol Derivatives Biosynthesis Network in Developing Rosa roxburghii Fruit

“…We identified 533 metabolites during the development of the R. roxburghii “Rr-5” fruit, which was fewer than the metabolites in the six different R. roxburghii genotypes identified by Jiang et al [ 6 ], indicating that different genotypes of R. roxburghii exhibited significant differences in metabolites. Guo et al detected 134 metabolites grouped into 11 classes in blueberry [ 32 ]. Chen et al identified 407 metabolites in strawberry [ 33 ], while 352 metabolites were detected and identified in citrus [ 34 ].…”

Genome-wide identification and comprehensive analysis reveal potential roles of long non-coding RNAs in fruit development of southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

“…F3’5’H is a class of cytochrome P450-dependent flavonoid hydroxylases that function in the hydroxylation of dihydroflavonol at the 3’ and 5’ positions of the B-ring. Previous studies ( Guo et al., 2022 ) have shown that the VcF3’5’H4 gene may play an important role in the light-induced blueberry anthocyanin synthesis pathway. Two UFGT genes that are involved in the conversion of anthocyanidins to anthocyanins were highly expressed in blue fruit but not in green fruit and were cis -targeted by lncRNAs with the same expression patten.…”

Variations in Photoperiods and Their Impact on Yield, Photosynthesis and Secondary Metabolite Production in Basil Microgreens

“…Light is one of the most important factors involved in ACN biosynthesis, and light intensity, light quality, and photoperiod determine the concentration of ACNs. In addition, the activity of enzymes and genes related to ACN synthesis increases when crops are continuously exposed to radiation [51]. Therefore, the activity of the ACN synthetase enzyme increases under long photoperiods, which increases the ACN content.…”