Transcriptome-wide and expression analysis of the NAC gene family in pepino (Solanum muricatum) during drought stress

Abstract

Solanum muricatum (Pepino) is an increasingly popular solanaceous crop and is tolerant of drought conditions. In this study, 71 NAC transcription factor family genes of S. muricatum were selected to provide a theoretical basis for subsequent in-depth study of their regulatory roles in the response to biological and abiotic stresses, and were subjected to whole-genome analysis. The NAC sequences obtained by transcriptome sequencing were subjected to bioinformatics prediction and analysis. Three concentration gradient drought stresses were applied to the plants, and the target gene sequences were analyzed by qPCR to determine their expression under drought stress. The results showed that the S. muricatum NAC family contains 71 genes, 47 of which have conserved domains. The protein sequence length, molecular weight, hydrophilicity, aliphatic index and isoelectric point of these transcription factors were predicted and analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the S. muricatum NAC gene family is divided into seven subfamilies. Some NAC genes of S. muricatum are closely related to the NAC genes of Solanaceae crops such as tomato, pepper and potato. The seedlings of S. muricatum were grown under different gradients of drought stress conditions and qPCR was used to analyze the NAC expression in roots, stems, leaves and flowers. The results showed that 13 genes did not respond to drought stress while 58 NAC genes of S. muricatum that responded to drought stress had obvious tissue expression specificity. The overall expression levels in the root were found to be high. The number of genes at extremely significant expression levels was very large, with significant polarization. Seven NAC genes with significant responses were selected to analyze their expression trend in the different drought stress gradients. It was found that genes with the same expression trend also had the same or part of the same conserved domain. Seven SmNACs that may play an important role in drought stress were selected for NAC amino acid sequence alignment of Solanaceae crops. Four had strong similarity to other Solanaceae NAC amino acid sequences, and SmNAC has high homology with the Solanum pennellii. The NAC transcription factor family genes of S. muricatum showed strong structural conservation. Under drought stress, the expression of NAC transcription factor family genes of S. muricatum changed significantly, which actively responded to and participated in the regulation process of drought stress, thereby laying foundations for subsequent in-depth research of the specific functions of NAC transcription factor family genes of S. muricatum.

Systematic Investigation of TCP Gene Family: Genome-Wide Identification and Light-Regulated Gene Expression Analysis in Pepino (Solanum Muricatum)

“…S. muricatum also has the potential to act as a tumor repressor [ 6 ]. In China, S. muricatum has been cultivated in high-altitude regions such as Qinghai, Gansu, and Yunnan at elevations of up to 1500 m above sea level [ 7 ]. S. muricatum , in particular, is typically produced in greenhouses during cold periods of the year at the northern latitudes of China.…”

Metabolomics analysis of quality components metabolism during the growth process of pepino ( Solanum muricatum ) fruit

“…Currently, pepino is considered an important economic fruit and is extensively cultivated, particularly in regions such as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. 3 , 4 The plateau’s unique high-altitude climate, characterized by cool temperatures, significant day-night temperature variations, and abundant sunlight, contributes to the exceptional quality and high yield of pepino produced in these areas. 5 …”

An Exploration of Pepino (Solanum muricatum) Flavor Compounds Using Machine Learning Combined with Metabolomics and Sensory Evaluation

“…The most commonly used modifier is dulce (sweet), in reference to the sweeter taste of pepinos as compared with cucumbers [ 5 ]. In China, pepino is mainly grown in the Jiuquan and Wuwei regions in western Gansu and the Haidong region in Qinghai [ 6 ]. Our previous study examined the types and contents of metabolic substances in pepino fruits produced in these three regions by LC-MS [ 7 ], but we did not investigate the substances affecting the flavor of pepino fruits.…”

“…A variety of topics have been successfully predicted using machine learning. With big data technologies and high-performance computing, machine learning has opened up new opportunities for multidisciplinary biotechnology research including accurate prediction of protein structures [ 29 ], plant–pathogen interactions [ 30 ] and image-based plant phenotyping [ 6 , 31 ]. We can explore the relationship between metabolomics data and flavor phenotypes through machine learning, allowing flavor to be incorporated earlier in the breeding process and fruit varieties with more flavor can be selected and released.…”