Transcriptome Analysis of the Fruit of Two Strawberry Cultivars “Sunnyberry” and “Kingsberry” That Show Different Susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea after Harvest

Abstract

Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) is a fungal plant pathogen causing postharvest decay in strawberry fruit. Here, we conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis to identify differences in gene expression between the immature-green (IG) and mature-red (MR) stages of the “Sunnyberry” (gray mold-resistant) and “Kingsberry” (gray mold susceptible) strawberry cultivars. Most of the genes involved in lignin and alkane-type wax biosynthesis were relatively upregulated in “Sunnyberry”. However, pathogenesis-related proteins encoding R- and antioxidant-related genes were comparatively upregulated in “Kingsberry”. Analysis of gene expression and physiological traits in the presence and absence of B. cinerea inoculation revealed that the defense response patterns significantly differed between IG and MR rather than the cultivars. “Kingsberry” showed higher antioxidant induction at IG and upregulated hemicellulose-strengthening and R genes at MR. Hence, “Sunnyberry” and “Kingsberry” differed mainly in terms of the expression levels of the genes forming cuticle, wax, and lignin and controlling the defense responses. These discrepancies might explain the relative difference between these strawberry cultivars in terms of their postharvest responses to B. cinerea.

High-resolution genome-wide association study of a large Czech collection of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) on fruit maturity and quality traits

“…In cotton, BURP domain proteins interact with α-expansin, which can loosen cell walls [ 52 ]. In strawberries, the BURP domain-containing protein polygalacturonase 1β-like protein 3 is upregulated during ripening in soft variety Kingsberry compared with relatively firm variety Sunnyberry [ 53 ]. Additional BURP domain-containing proteins resided in a haplotype block with another marker associated with firmness of skin (chr1_31855038).…”

Functional characterization of MANNOSE-BINDING LECTIN 1, a G-type lectin gene family member, in response to fungal pathogens of strawberry

“…To gain insights into the role of FaMBL1 in strawberry defense against B. cinerea , we examined its relative expression together with those of other defense-related genes in the leaves of the overexpressing lines and the WT at 24 h after inoculation. We selected genes that have previously been reported to be induced upon B. cinerea infection, namely those encoding CLASS II CHITINASE ( FaChi2-1 and FaChi2-2 ), POLYGALACTURONASE-INHIBITING PROTEIN ( FaPGIP ), PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA-LYASE 1 ( FaPAL1 ), THAUMATIN-LIKE PROTEIN 1b ( FaTLP1b ), 1-AMINOCYCLOPROPANE-1-CARBOXYLATE OXIDASE ( FaACO ), AND ALLENE OXIDE SYNTHASE 1 (FaAOS1) ( Mehli et al , 2005 ; Nagpala et al , 2016 ; Jia et al , 2021 ; Lee et al , 2021 ). Whilst FaMBL1 expression was reduced in both the overexpressing lines and the WT upon B. cinerea infection, it remained significantly higher in the overexpressing lines ( Fig.…”

“…Infection with B. cinerea has been reported to induce the expression of CLASS II CHITINASE ( FaChi2-1 and FaChi2-2 ), POLYGALACTURONASE-INHIBITING PROTEIN ( FaPGIP ), PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA-LYASE 1 ( FaPAL1 ), THAUMATIN-LIKE PROTEIN 1b ( FaTLP1b ), 1-AMINOCYCLOPROPANE-1-CARBOXYLATE OXIDASE ( FaACO ), and ALLENE OXIDE SYNTHASE 1 ( FaAOS1 ) and to contribute to strawberry resistance against this pathogen ( Mehli et al , 2005 ; Nagpala et al , 2016 ; Jia et al , 2021 ; Lee et al , 2021 ). After strawberry infection with C. acutatum , uncoupling between SA and JA accumulation and the induction of important SA- and JA-related genes has also been reported, including PATHOGENESIS-RELATED PROTEIN 1 ( FaPR1-1 ), LIPOXYGENASE-2 (FaLOX2), JASMONATE RESISTANT-1 (FaJAR1), and PLANT DEFENSIN-1 (FaPDF1) ( Amil-Ruiz et al , 2016 ).…”

Supplemental red LED light promotes plant productivity, “photomodulates” fruit quality and increases Botrytis cinerea tolerance in strawberry

“…Given the important R light effect on B. cinerea development, gene expression of the fundamental cell wall enzymes and proteins involved in defense response was analyzed in fruit collected from R supplemented plants in comparison with NS ones. Cell wall components (overall lignin, hemicellulose and pectins) are fundamental for the firmness of fruit and, consequently, for the B. cinerea penetration and invasion (Lee et al, 2021a). Cell wall biosynthesis' enzymes reinforce plant cells against fungus attack by deposition of lignin, strengthening cross-linkages, and changing wall component ratios (Hückelhoven, 2007).…”