Zhou Yimei, Zhao Meng, Shen Qinghui, Zhang Mengyi, Wang Chenhao, Zhang Yutong, Yang Qinrong, Bo Yongming, Hu Zhongyuan, Yang Jinghua, Zhang Mingfang, Lyu Xiaolong
Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Molecular Breeding, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Sanya, China.
Front Plant Sci. 2024 May 23;15:1408602. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1408602. eCollection 2024.
Fruit length (FL) is an important economical trait that affects fruit yield and appearance. Pumpkin ( Duch) contains a wealth genetic variation in fruit length. However, the natural variation underlying differences in pumpkin fruit length remains unclear. In this study, we constructed a F segregate population using KG1 producing long fruit and MBF producing short fruit as parents to identify the candidate gene for fruit length. By bulked segregant analysis (BSA-seq) and Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) approach of fine mapping, we obtained a 50.77 kb candidate region on chromosome 14 associated with the fruit length. Then, based on sequence variation, gene expression and promoter activity analyses, we identified a candidate gene () encoding E3 ubiquitin ligase in this region may account for the variation of fruit length. One SNP variation in promoter of changed the GT1CONSENSUS, and DUAL-LUC assay revealed that this variation significantly affected the promoter activity of . RNA-seq analysis indicated that might associated with the cell division process and negatively regulate fruit length. Collectively, our work identifies an important allelic affecting fruit length, and provides a target gene manipulating fruit length in future pumpkin breeding.
果实长度（FL）是影响果实产量和外观的重要经济性状。南瓜（Duch）在果实长度方面存在丰富的遗传变异。然而，南瓜果实长度差异背后的自然变异仍不清楚。在本研究中，我们以产生长果实的KG1和产生短果实的MBF为亲本构建了一个F分离群体，以鉴定果实长度的候选基因。通过混合分组分析法（BSA-seq）和竞争性等位基因特异性PCR（KASP）精细定位方法，我们在14号染色体上获得了一个与果实长度相关的50.77 kb候选区域。然后，基于序列变异、基因表达和启动子活性分析，我们鉴定出该区域一个编码E3泛素连接酶的候选基因（）可能是果实长度变异的原因。的启动子中的一个SNP变异改变了GT1CONSENSUS，双荧光素酶报告基因检测表明该变异显著影响了的启动子活性。RNA测序分析表明可能与细胞分裂过程相关，并对果实长度起负调控作用。总之，我们的工作鉴定出一个影响果实长度的重要等位基因，并为未来南瓜育种中操纵果实长度提供了一个目标基因。
