The Genetic Basis of Anthocyanin Acylation in North American Grapes (Vitis spp.)

Abstract

Hydroxycinnamylated anthocyanins (or simply ‘acylated anthocyanins’) increase color stability in grape products, such as wine. Several genes that are relevant for anthocyanin acylation in grapes have been previously described; however, control of the degree of acylation in grapes is complicated by the lack of genetic markers quantitatively associated with this trait. To characterize the genetic basis of anthocyanin acylation in grapevine, we analyzed the acylation ratio in two closely related biparental families, Vitis rupestris B38 × ‘Horizon’ and ‘Horizon’ × Illinois 547-1, for 2 and 3 years, respectively. The acylation ratio followed a bimodal and skewed distribution in both families, with repeatability estimates larger than 0.84. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping with amplicon-based markers (rhAmpSeq) identified a strong QTL from ‘Horizon’ on chromosome 3, near 15.85 Mb in both families and across years, explaining up to 85.2% of the phenotypic variance. Multiple candidate genes were identified in the 14.85–17.95 Mb interval, in particular, three copies of a gene encoding an acetyl-CoA-benzylalcohol acetyltransferase-like protein within the two most strongly associated markers. Additional population-specific QTLs were found in chromosomes 9, 10, 15, and 16; however, no candidate genes were described. The rhAmpSeq markers reported here, which were previously shown to be highly transferable among the Vitis genus, could be immediately implemented in current grapevine breeding efforts to control the degree of anthocyanin acylation and improve the quality of grapes and their products.

Biography of Vitis genomics: recent advances and prospective

“…2 , Supplementary Data Table S1 ) have been identified, which were related to all traits of grape, including berry development [ 39–45 ], berry quality regulation [ 31 , 37 , 42 , 46–59 ], fruit genotypes [ 60 ], sugar and acid content [ 34 , 52 , 61 ], aroma and flavonoids [ 48 , 62–69 ], and biotic and abiotic resistance [ 70–77 ]. Among these genes, the biosynthesis of anthocyanins and flavonoids has received considerable attention from researchers, with 277 candidate genes having been identified [ 62–69 ], followed by disease resistance (123 genes) [ 72–76 ], and plant and berry development (83 genes) [ 31 , 39–45 ]. All these genes were important genetic resources for grape breeding, and these studies provide a solid foundation for grape genome-selective breeding.…”