Nie Jing, Huang Hongyu, Wu Sheng, Lin Tao, Zhang Lidong, Lv Lijun, Shi Yuzi, Guo Yicong, Zhang Qian, Li Yuhe, Kong Weiliang, Li Hujian, Yang Zhen, Li Wenbo, Xu Lingjun, Ma Nan, Zhang Zhonghua, Sun Chuanqing, Sui Xiaolei
Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Nat Plants. 2025 Feb;11(2):176-190. doi: 10.1038/s41477-024-01899-2. Epub 2025 Jan 15.
Parthenocarpy is a pivotal trait that enhances the yield and quality of fruit crops by enabling the development of seedless fruits. Here we unveil a molecular framework for the regulation and domestication of parthenocarpy in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). We previously discovered a natural non-parthenocarpic mutant and demonstrated that the AP2-like transcription factor NON-PARTHENOCARPIC FRUIT 1 (NPF1) is a central regulator of parthenocarpy through activating YUC4 expression and promoting auxin biosynthesis in ovules. A Phe-to-Ser substitution at amino acid residue 7 results in a stable form of NPF1 that is localized in the nucleus. An A-to-G polymorphism (SNP-383) within an NPF1-binding site in the YUC4 promoter significantly enhances the activation of NPF1 towards YUC4, leading to an increased rate of parthenocarpy. Additionally, NPF1 influences bitterness by reducing cucurbitacin C biosynthesis through the suppression of Bt expression. Our results suggest a two-step evolutionary model for parthenocarpy and fruit bitterness during cucumber domestication.
单性结实是一种关键特性，它通过促使无籽果实的发育来提高水果作物的产量和品质。在此，我们揭示了黄瓜（Cucumis sativus L.）中单性结实调控与驯化的分子框架。我们之前发现了一个天然的非单性结实突变体，并证明AP2类转录因子单性结实果实1（NPF1）是单性结实的核心调控因子，它通过激活YUC4表达并促进胚珠中的生长素生物合成来实现这一调控。氨基酸残基7处的苯丙氨酸到丝氨酸的替换产生了一种稳定形式的NPF1，该形式定位于细胞核中。YUC4启动子中NPF1结合位点内的一个A到G的多态性（SNP - 383）显著增强了NPF1对YUC4的激活作用，导致单性结实率增加。此外，NPF1通过抑制Bt表达来减少葫芦素C的生物合成，从而影响苦味。我们的结果表明了黄瓜驯化过程中单性结实和果实苦味的两步进化模型。
