Is a member of udp- glycosyltransferase regulating ellagitannins metabolism in strawberry?

Fresh strawberries are a popular and important component of the human diet. The demand for highquality fruits is increasing globally, challenging breeders to develop modern strawberry cultivarsthat fulfill all desired characteristics. Fruit flavor and nutritional characteristics are key quality traitsand ones of the main factors influencing consumer preference. Shikimate and phenylpropanoidpathways produce many chemical compounds, like phenolic compounds, polyphenols and tannins,thatarehighlyvaluable in human nutrition offering antioxidant protection and contribute to the prevention of some diseases. Among them, the hydrolysable tannins, like ellagitanins and ellagic acid, have an effect on health in some human diseases such as breast and prostate cancers or neurodegenerative diseases (Basu et al., 2014). In a previous study, Pott et al., (2020) found 110 stable QTL for secondary metabolism by studying the F1 population derived from the crossing of ‘232’ and ‘1392’ (Zorrilla Fontanesi et al., 2011). Among these QTLs, we highlighted one that was responsible for 50-70% of the variation of ellagic acid hexose. A RNAseq with contrasting lines in ellagic acid hexose content was performed to reveal 11 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with a false discovery ratio under 0.05. Candidate genes were functionally annotated using MapMan software. One gene raised as a candidate gene, annotated as UDP-glycosyltransferase suggesting to participate in the glycosylation of ellagic acid. In addition, we found that the gene expression of this candidate was negatively correlated with proanthocyanidin and flavan-3-ols content, providing an evidence of possible metabolic flux redirection through the synthesis of ellagitannins. However, further experiments are needed to confirm the role of this gene in the synthesis of ellagitannins.This work was supported by grants RTI 2018-099797-B-100 (Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spain) and UMA18-FEDERJA-179 (FEDER-Junta Andalucía). In addition, we acknowledge partial funding by PY20_00408 (PAIDI 2020-Junta de Andalucía). JGV acknowledges the EMERGIA Programme (EMERGIA20_00309-Junta de Andalucía). J.M. thanks to Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (PRE2019-091188). Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Primary metabolite profile changes in coffea spp. Promoted by single and combined exposure to drought and elevated co2 concentration

info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/OE/PD%2FBD%2F113475%2F2015/PT PD/00035/2013 CRA-RED-00053-16Climate change scenarios pose major threats to many crops worldwide, including coffee. We explored the primary metabolite responses in two Coffea genotypes, C. canephora cv. Conilon Clone 153 and C. arabica cv. Icatu, grown at normal (aCO2) or elevated (eCO2) CO2 concentrations of 380 or 700 ppm, respectively, under well-watered (WW), moderate (MWD), or severe (SWD) water deficit conditions, in order to assess coffee responses to drought and how eCO2 can influence such responses. Primary metabolites were analyzed with a gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry metabolomics platform (GC-TOF-MS). A total of 48 primary metabolites were identified in both genotypes (23 amino acids and derivatives, 10 organic acids, 11 sugars, and 4 other metabolites), with differences recorded in both genotypes. Increased metabolite levels were observed in CL153 plants under single and combined conditions of aCO2 and drought (MWD and SWD), as opposed to the observed decreased levels under eCO2 in both drought conditions. In contrast, Icatu showed minor differences under MWD, and increased levels (especially amino acids) only under SWD at both CO2 concentration conditions, although with a tendency towards greater increases under eCO2. Altogether, CL153 demonstrated large impact under MWD, and seemed not to benefit from eCO2 in either MWD and SWD, in contrast with Icatu.publishersversionpublishe

Characterizing the involvement of FaMADS9 in the regulation of strawberry fruit receptacle development

FaMADS9 is the strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) gene that exhibits the highest homology to the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) RIN gene. Transgenic lines were obtained in which FaMADS9 was silenced. The fruits of these lines did not show differences in basic parameters, such as fruit firmness or colour, but exhibited lower Brix values in three of the four independent lines. The gene ontology MapMan category that was most enriched among the differentially expressed genes in the receptacles at the white stage corresponded to the regulation of transcription, including a high percentage of transcription factors and regulatory proteins associated with auxin action. In contrast, the most enriched categories at the red stage were transport, lipid metabolism and cell wall. Metabolomic analysis of the receptacles of the transformed fruits identified significant changes in the content of maltose, galactonic acid-1,4-lactone, proanthocyanidins and flavonols at the green/white stage, while isomaltose, anthocyanins and cuticular wax metabolism were the most affected at the red stage. Among the regulatory genes that were differentially expressed in the transgenic receptacles were several genes previously linked to flavonoid metabolism, such as MYB10, DIV, ZFN1, ZFN2, GT2, and GT5, or associated with the action of hormones, such as abscisic acid, SHP, ASR, GTE7 and SnRK2.7. The inference of a gene regulatory network, based on a dynamic Bayesian approach, among the genes differentially expressed in the transgenic receptacles at the white and red stages, identified the genes KAN1, DIV, ZFN2 and GTE7 as putative targets of FaMADS9. A MADS9-specific CArG box was identified in the promoters of these genes

Metabolomics-Based Evaluation of Crop Quality Changes as a Consequence of Climate Change

Fruit composition determines the fruit quality and, consequently, consumer acceptance. As fruit quality can be modified by environmental conditions, it will be impacted by future alterations produced by global warming. Therefore, agricultural activities will be influenced by the changes in climatological conditions in cultivable areas, which could have a high socioeconomic impact if fruit production and quality decline. Currently, different stresses are being applied to several cultivated species to evaluate their impact on fruit metabolism and plant performance. With the use of metabolomic tools, these changes can be precisely measured, allowing us to determine changes in the patterns of individual compounds. As these changes depend on both the stress severity and the specific species involved and even on the specific cultivar, individual analysis must be conducted. To date, the most-studied crops have mainly been crops that are widely cultivated and have a high socioeconomic impact. In the near future, with the development of these metabolomic strategies, their implementation will be extended to other species, which will allow the adaptation of cultivation conditions and the development of varieties with high adaptability to climatological changes

Defence responses triggered during the plant-pathogen interaction between strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) and Colletotrichum acutatum

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) production is an important economic activity in Argentina. Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is the most destructive fungal disease for strawberry and causes a huge economic loss every year. The gene-regulatory networks and metabolic pathways involved in the interaction between Fragaria ananassa and Colletotrichum acutatum are poorly understood. Sixteen strawberry cultivars were characterized in a local strain, M11, of C. acutatum, and the results showed that the Camarosa and Pajaro cultivars were the most tolerant and susceptible, respectively. Metabolic, biochemical and molecular analyses were used to study pathogen and strawberry interaction. The results showed that (1) after being infected by the pathogen, the Camarosa cultivar showed early induction of stomatal closure, callose and lignin accumulation; (2) the metabolic profile of the Camarosa cv. infected by C. acutatum showed high levels of carbohydrate accumulation, while the Pajaro cv. was characterized by accumulation of amino acids and their derivatives; (3) the expression of defence-related genes was induced earlier in the Camarosa cv. The above results demonstrated that an early and complex network of defence responses is triggered in the tolerant cultivar (Camarosa cv.), when infected by C. acutatum. Altogether, these results led us to expand the boundaries of knowledge of the metabolic pathways and gene-regulatory networks involved in the interaction between strawberry and Colletotrichum acutatum

Identification of quantitative trait loci and candidate genes for primary metabolite content in strawberry fruit

Selective breeding: The genetic basis of better strawberries Investigations have yielded early insights into the genetic basis of strawberry taste and nutrition. Such information informs efforts to selectively breed the fruit to maximize these qualities. A team of researchers from Spain and Germany, led by the University of Malaga’s Sonia Osorio and the IFAPA´s Iraida Amaya, found 133 locations within strawberry DNA that correlated to variation in metabolic pathways and desirable traits including acidity, sugar content, and the concentration of l-ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Only a small number of associations persisted over the 2 years of investigations, suggesting that environmental factors also wield a significant influence over the strawberry fruit’s molecular makeup. The team then used their data to identify a series of candidate genes that may be functionally linked to strawberry qualities; however, further research is needed to validate those connections

Exploring Genotype-by-Environment Interactions of Chemical Composition of Raspberry by Using a Metabolomics Approach

Promoting the consumption of fruits is a key objective of nutrition policy campaigns due to their associated health benefits. Raspberries are well appreciated for their remarkable flavor and nutritional value attributable to their antioxidant properties. Consequently, one of the objectives of present-day raspberry breeding programs is to improve the fruit’s sensory and nutritive characteristics. However, developing new genotypes with enhanced quality traits is a complex task due to the intricate impacts genetic and environmental factors have on these attributes, and the difficulty to phenotype them. We used a multi-platform metabolomic approach to compare flavor- and nutritional-related metabolite profiles of four raspberry cultivars (‘Glen Ample’, ‘Schönemann’, ‘Tulameen’ and ‘Veten’) grown in different European climates. Although the cultivars appear to be better adapted to high latitudes, for their content in soluble solids and acidity, multivariate statistical analyses allowed us to underscore important genotypic differences based on the profiles of important metabolites. ‘Schönemann’ and ‘Veten’ were characterized by high levels of anthocyanins and ellagitannins, respectively, ‘Tulameen’ by its acidity, and ‘Glen Ample’ for its content of sucrose and β-ionone, two main flavor contributors. Our results confirmed the value of metabolomic-driven approaches, which may foster the development of cultivars with enhanced health properties and flavor

Dissecting the impact of environment, season and genotype on blackcurrant fruit quality traits

This work aims to determine the effect of genotype x environment (GxE) interaction that influence blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) fruit quality. We applied metabolomics-driven analysis on fruits from four cultivars grown in contrasting European-locations over two seasons. By integrating metabolomics and sensory analysis, we also defined specific metabolic signatures associated with consumer acceptance. Our results showed that rainfall is a crucial factor associated with accumulation of delphinidin- and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, the two mayor blackcurrant pigments meanwhile temperature affects the main organic acid levels which can be decisive for fruit taste. Sensorial analysis showed that increases in terpenoid and acetate ester volatiles were strongly associated with higher appreciation score, while proacacipetalin, a cyanogenic-glycoside, was positively associated to bitter taste. Our results pave the way for the selection of high-quality cultivars and suitable production sites for blackcurrant cultivation.This work was supported through funding by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement Number 679303. S.D.-S. acknowledges the support by Plan Propio from the University of Malaga. // Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU