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Liu C, Zhao H, Li J, Cao Z, Deng B, Liu X, Qin G. Identification of Candidate Expansin Genes Associated with Seed Weight in Pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.). Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:212. [PMID: 38397202 PMCID: PMC10888256 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Seed weight is an important target trait in pomegranate breeding and culture. Expansins act by loosening plant cell walls and cellulosic materials, permitting turgor-driven cell enlargement. However, the role of expansin genes (EXPs) in pomegranate seed weight remains elusive. A total of 29 PgrEXPs were identified in the 'Dabenzi' genome. These genes were classified into four subfamilies and 14 subgroups, including 22 PgrEXPAs, 5 PgrEXPBs, 1 PgrEXPLA, and 1 PgrEXPLB. Transcriptome analysis of PgrEXPs in different tissues (root, leaf, flower, peel, and seed testa) in 'Dabenzi', and the seed testa of the hard-seeded pomegranate cultivar 'Dabenzi' and soft-seeded cultivar 'Tunisia' at three development stages showed that three PgrEXPs (PgrEXPA11, PgrEXPA22, PgrEXPA6) were highly expressed throughout seed development, especially in the sarcotesta. SNP/Indel markers of these PgrEXPs were developed and used to genotype 101 pomegranate accessions. The association of polymorphic PgrEXPs with seed weight-related traits (100-seed weight, 100-kernel weight, 100-sarcotesta weight, and the percentage of 100-sarcotesta to 100-seed weight) were analyzed. PgrEXP22 was significantly associated with 100-seed weight and 100-sarcotesta weight and is a likely candidate for regulating seed weight and sarcotesta development in particular. This study provides an effective tool for the genetic improvement of seed weight in pomegranate breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Germplasma Innovation and Utilisation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China; (C.L.); (H.Z.); (J.L.); (Z.C.); (X.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Eco-Physiology of Horticultural Crops, Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Haoyu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Germplasma Innovation and Utilisation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China; (C.L.); (H.Z.); (J.L.); (Z.C.); (X.L.)
- School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China;
| | - Jiyu Li
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Germplasma Innovation and Utilisation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China; (C.L.); (H.Z.); (J.L.); (Z.C.); (X.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Eco-Physiology of Horticultural Crops, Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Zhen Cao
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Germplasma Innovation and Utilisation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China; (C.L.); (H.Z.); (J.L.); (Z.C.); (X.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Eco-Physiology of Horticultural Crops, Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Bo Deng
- School of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China;
| | - Xin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Germplasma Innovation and Utilisation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China; (C.L.); (H.Z.); (J.L.); (Z.C.); (X.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Eco-Physiology of Horticultural Crops, Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Gaihua Qin
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Crop Germplasma Innovation and Utilisation (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China; (C.L.); (H.Z.); (J.L.); (Z.C.); (X.L.)
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement and Eco-Physiology of Horticultural Crops, Institute of Horticulture, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
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