Transcriptome profiling of genes related to light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) before purple color becomes evident

Abstract

BackgroundThe anthocyanins are highly enriched in eggplants (Solanum melongena L.) with purple peel. However, our previous study showed that anthocyanins biosynthesis in eggplant cultivar ‘Lanshan Hexian’ was completely regulated by light and color becomes evident at most 2 days after exposure to light. In the present investigation, transcriptome study was made to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) before color becomes evident.ResultsRNA-Seq was performed for four time points (0, 0.5, 4 and 8 h after bags removal) where concerted changes happened. A total of 32,630 genes or transcripts were obtained by transcriptome sequencing, from which 1956 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found. Gene Ontology analysis showed that the 1956 DEGs covered a wide range of cellular components, molecular functions and biological processes. All the DEGs were further divided into 26 clusters based on their distinct expression patterns. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis found out 24 structural anthocyanin biosynthesis genes which distributing in seven clusters. In addition, 102 transcription factors, which exhibited highly dynamic changes in response to light, were found in the seven clusters. Three photoreceptors, UV Resistance Locus 8 (UVR8), Cryptochrome 3 (CRY3) and UVR3, were identified as DEGs. The light signal transduction elements, COP1 and two SPAs, might be responsible for anthocyanin biosynthesis regulation.ConclusionBased on the transcriptome data, the anthocyanin biosynthesis structural genes, transcription factors, photoreceptors and light signal transduction elements were quickly screened which may act as the key regulatory factors in anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. By comparing the transcriptome data with our previous studies, 869 genes were confirmed to participate in the light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis. These results expand our knowledge of light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in plants, which allowing for fruit coloration to be improved under low-light conditions in future.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-4587-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Extensive transcriptome changes underlying the fruit skin color intensity variation in purple eggplant

“…It has been revealed that R2R3-MYB and bHLH transcription factors, together with WDR proteins play an important role in regulating the transcription of structural genes of anthocyanin biosynthesis [2,4,6,12] . In eggplant, SmMYB1 and SmMyb C was found to have higher transcript levels in violet eggplant compared to white eggplant fruits [4] .…”

“…The fruit skin color of eggplant ranges from white to dark purple, and is one of the primary exterior quality and economic characteristics. Although there is a big diversity of eggplant varieties varying in shape and color, the dark purple type receive more attention for high levels of anthocyanin accumulation [2] . A broad spectrum of color intensity exists within the group of dark purple colored cultivars, but intensive, uniform and lasting fruit color types are most preferred by consumers than the paler types, especially in China [3] .…”

Correction to: Transcriptome profiling of genes related to light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) before purple color becomes evident

“…After publication of the original article [ 1 ] it was noted that in Additional file 1: Table S1, and Fig. 1, specific primer sequences were incorrect, and taken from Sme2.5_02154.1_g00001.1 rather than Sme2.5_13923.1_g00001.1.…”

Untitled

“…Furthermore, anthocyanin biosynthesis of eggplants is reportedly affected by several environmental factors, such as light (Li et al 2018;Li et al 2017). The RNA-seq results showed that the 11 abovementioned anthocyanin biosynthesis structure genes were upregulated during light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in eggplants (Li et al 2018;Li et al 2017).…”

“…The overexpression of SmMYB1 resulted in the significant accumulation of anthocyanin, with most anthocyanin structural genes being dramatically upregulated (Zhang et al 2016b). A recent study suggested that light can positively regulate the anthocyanin structural genes and the R2R3-MYB expression and lead to anthocyanin biosynthesis (Li et al 2018;Li et al 2017).…”