Manipulation of VviAGL11 expression changes the seed content in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

Abstract

Seedlessness in grapes is a desirable trait, especially for in natura consumption. Previously, we showed that VviAGL11 is the main responsible gene for seed morphogenesis in grapevine. Here we tested the function of this gene in grapevine with the use of plant plasmids. VviAGL11 was cloned into silencing and overexpression versions of p28iIR plasmid. Reproductive grapevine bunches from different seeded and seedless cultivars were separately treated with VviAGL11-harboring plasmids, along with controls. Plasmids were detected in leaves after a month of treatment, and berries, leaves, stems and seeds were analyzed for ectopic gene expression by RT-qPCR after 90 days of plasmid injection. Fruits from the seedless 'Linda' treated with the VviAGL11-overexpression plasmid showed high expression levels of VviAGL11 and exhibited small seeds that were not found in the untreated control samples. Mature grapes from seeded 'Italia' and 'Ruby' bunches treated with the VviAGL11-silencing plasmid showed decreased VviAGL11 expression, reduced number of seeds and increased number of seed traces. The present study confirms that VviAGL11 is a key master regulator of seed morphogenesis in grapevine and corroborates with the applicability of plant plasmids as promising biotechnological tools to functionally test genes in perennial plants in a rapid and confident way.

Unraveling the Deep Genetic Architecture for Seedlessness in Grapevine and the Development and Validation of a New Set of Markers for VviAGL11-Based Gene-Assisted Selection

“…In this work, the VviAGL11 gene was identified as the sole candidate gene from the major QTL identified in chromosome 18 for SEDW and SEDA, and this locus has previously been described [9,49] and later validated at the functional level in grapes [18,53] and in a heterologous system [17]. More recently, Royo et al [16] pointed out an SNP mutation in exon 7 as the factor responsible for the phenotype.…”

Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of MADS-Box Gene VroAGL11 Associated with Stenospermocarpic Seedlessness in Muscadine Grapes

“…The reduced expression of the VviAGL11 gene was reported as the source or origin of stenospermocarpic seedlessness in "Sultanina" and Sultanina-derived grape cultivars [8,22,25,26]. The overexpression of the VviAGL11 gene in seedless grape cultivar "Linda" produced small seeds in the seedless berries, while silencing of VviAGL11 gene in seeded bunch grape cultivars (Italia, Ruby) induced the seedlessness by decreasing the seed content [27]. Malabarba and her coworkers [27] thus confirmed that VviAGL11 gene is the key master regulator of seed morphogenesis in bunch grapes and can be manipulated for inducing seedlessness in bunch grapes.…”

The grapevine homeobox gene VvHB58 influences seed and fruit development through multiple hormonal signaling pathways

“…Stenospermocarpic genotypes are widely used in seedless grape breeding as a hybrid parent material. The most widely accepted hypothesis proposed the inheritance of grape seedlessness controlled by an amino acid substitution in VviAGL11 is the major cause of seedlessness in grapevine [4–7]. Additionally, grape berry and seed size have a strong genetic component and are thought to be influenced quantitatively by several loci [8–10].…”