Wei Mengyuan, Wen Junqin, Ren Yanjing, Shao Dengkui, Wang Yayi, Li Jiang, Li Quanhui
Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China.
Laboratory for Research and Utilization of Qinghai Tibet Plateau Germplasm Resources, Xining 810016, China.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 May 9;26(10):4508. doi: 10.3390/ijms26104508.
Our multi-omics investigation of pepper fruit coloration dynamics demonstrates that the coordinated regulation of flavonoid accumulation and chlorophyll retention underpins the distinct pigmentation patterns between dark green (XHB) and light green (QL2017) cultivars. Through the integrated analysis of three developmental stages (10-30 DPA), we identified 989 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and 810 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and chlorophyll turnover pathways pinpointed as central regulatory hubs. Notably, key metabolites such as quercitrin, kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, and cinnamic acid were significantly enriched in dark green fruits (XHB), coinciding with enhanced antioxidant activity and delayed chlorophyll degradation. Transcriptomic data revealed the coordinated upregulation of chlorophyll biosynthesis genes (, ) and light-harvesting complex components (, ), while -a pivotal chlorophyll catabolism gene-also exhibited elevated expression. Co-expression network analysis highlighted , , , and as hub genes regulating flavonoid biosynthesis. qRT-PCR validation confirmed high consistency with transcriptomic trends ( > 0.85, < 0.01). Our findings propose a synergistic model wherein flavonoid accumulation and chlorophyll metabolic dynamics jointly orchestrate green fruit pigmentation, offering novel insights and molecular targets for the precision breeding of pepper fruit coloration.
我们对辣椒果实颜色变化动态的多组学研究表明，黄酮类化合物积累和叶绿素保留的协同调控是深绿色（XHB）和浅绿色（QL2017）品种之间不同色素沉着模式的基础。通过对三个发育阶段（10 - 30天授粉后天数）的综合分析，我们鉴定出989种差异积累代谢物（DAMs）和810个差异表达基因（DEGs），黄酮类生物合成、苯丙烷代谢和叶绿素周转途径被确定为核心调控枢纽。值得注意的是，槲皮苷、山奈酚 - 3 - O - 鼠李糖苷和肉桂酸等关键代谢物在深绿色果实（XHB）中显著富集，这与抗氧化活性增强和叶绿素降解延迟相一致。转录组数据显示叶绿素生物合成基因（，）和光捕获复合体组分（，）协同上调，而一个关键的叶绿素分解代谢基因也表现出表达升高。共表达网络分析突出了，，，和作为调控黄酮类生物合成的枢纽基因。qRT - PCR验证证实与转录组趋势高度一致（> 0.85，< 0.01）。我们的研究结果提出了一种协同模型，其中黄酮类积累和叶绿素代谢动态共同协调绿色果实色素沉着，为辣椒果实颜色的精准育种提供了新的见解和分子靶点。
