Transcriptome analysis ofChelidonium majuselaiosomes and seeds provide insights into fatty acid biosynthesis

Abstract

Background Elaiosomes are specialized fleshy and edible seed appendages dispersed by ants. Lipids are the primary components of elaiosomes. Chelidonium majus is a well-known plant, the seeds of which are dispersed by ants. Previous studies have identified the presence of primary fatty acids in its elaiosomes and seeds. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying fatty acid biosynthesis in elaiosomes remain unknown. Methods In order to gain a comprehensive transcriptional profile of the elaiosomes and seeds of C. majus, and understand the expression patterns of genes associated with fatty acid biosynthesis, four different developmental stages, including the flower-bud (Ch01), flowering (Ch02), young seed (Ch03), and mature seed (Ch04) stages, were chosen to perform whole-transcriptome profiling through the RNA-seq technology (Illumina NGS sequencing). Results A total of 63,064 unigenes were generated from 12 libraries. Of these, 7,323, 258, and 11,540 unigenes were annotated with 25 Cluster of Orthologous Groups, 43 Gene Ontology terms, and 373 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, respectively. In addition, 322 genes were involved in lipid transport and metabolism, and 508 genes were involved in the lipid metabolism pathways. A total of 41 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in the lipid metabolism pathways were identified, most of which were upregulated in Ch03 compared to Ch02, indicating that fatty acid biosynthesis primarily occurs during the flowering to the young seed stages. Of the DEGs, acyl-ACP thioesterases, acyl carrier protein desaturase (DESA1), and malonyl CoA-ACP transacylase were involved in palmitic acid synthesis; stearoyl-CoA desaturase and DESA1 were involved in oleic acid synthesis, and acyl-lipid omega-6 desaturase was involved in linoleic acid synthesis.

Effects of seed morphology and elaiosome chemical composition on attractiveness of five Trillium species to seed‐dispersing ants

“…Despite the homogeneity of fatty acid composition, interspecific differences in concentrations of total and individual fatty acids appear to be associated with seed attractiveness to ants. Our prediction that the more attractive species of Trillium would contain higher total concentrations of fatty acids was supported, corroborating the majority of studies of elaiosome chemistry (Boieiro et al, 2012;Boulay et al, 2006 2007; Gammans et al, 2006;Hughes & Westoby, 1994;Kusmenoglu et al, 1989;Lanza et al, 1992;Leal et al, 2014;Morrone, Vega, & Maier, 2000;Soukup & Holman, 1987;Wu et al, 2019).…”

“…Elaiosome lipid chemistry has been well described (Boulay, Coll-Toledano, & Cerdá, 2006; Boulay, Coll-Toledano, Manzaneda, & Cerdá, 2007;Bresinsky, 1963;Brew et al, 1989;Fischer et al, 2008;Gammans, Bullock, Gibbons, & Schönrogge, 2006;Hughes & Westoby, 1994;Kusmenoglu, Rockwood, & Gretz, 1989;Lanza, Schmitt, & Awad, 1992;Leal et al, 2014;Lisci et al, 1996;Skidmore & Heithaus, 1988;Wu, Peng, Dong, Xia, & Zhao, 2019) and is known to influence both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of seed dispersal effectiveness (sensu Schupp, 1993;Schupp et al, 2010) by ants. Seed-dispersing ants display a preference for food items containing high concentrations of oleic acid, an important signaling compound that stimulates foraging behavior, and thus select for seeds containing high concentrations of this compound (Boulay et al, 2006(Boulay et al, , 2007Brew et al, 1989;Fischer et al, 2008;Lanza et al, 1992;Pfeiffer, Huttenlocher, & Ayasse, 2010;Turner & Frederickson, 2013).…”

Molecular Characterization, Expression Analysis of Carotenoid, Xanthophyll, Apocarotenoid Pathway Genes, and Carotenoid and Xanthophyll Accumulation in Chelidonium majus L.

“…Recently, a transcriptomic analysis of C. majus elaiosomes and seeds was carried out, together with the expression analysis of genes related to the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway [ 61 ]. In another study, a transcriptomic analysis of C. majus roots and leaves was conducted to analyze the expression profile of genes involved in benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic pathway [ 62 ].…”

From Function to Metabolome: Metabolomic Analysis Reveals the Effect of Probiotic Fermentation on the Chemical Compositions and Biological Activities of Perilla frutescens Leaves

“…Further, KEGG pathway analysis of significantly differential metabolites found 97 metabolic signaling pathways, of which biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, flavonoid biosynthesis, and isoflavonoid biosynthesis were the most enriched pathways. Among them, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids was the significantly enriched lipid-related metabolic process, and it predominantly appeared in plants rich in proteins, oils, and carbohydrates ( 59 ). Moreover, flavonoid biosynthesis and isoflavonoid biosynthesis could be inducible by several abiotic and biotic stimuli ( 60 ).…”