Analyzing Differentially Expressed Genes and Pathways Associated with Pistil Abortion in Japanese Apricot via RNA-Seq.

Ting Shi,Muhammad Saqib Bilal,Faisal Hayat,Aliya Ayaz,Zhihong Gao,Xiaopeng Ni,Shahid Iqbal,Yang Bai,Zhenpeng Pan,Muhammad Khuram Razzaq

doi:10.3390/genes11091079

Abstract

Reproduction is a critical stage in the flower development process, and its failure causes serious problems affecting fruit quality and yield. Pistil abortion is one of the main factors in unsuccessful reproduction and occurs in many fruit plants. In Japanese apricot, the problem of pistil abortion is very common and affects fruit quality and plant yield; however, its molecular mechanism is not clearly understood. Therefore, in the current study, we used RNA-Seq to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways actively involved in pistil abortion. A total of 3882 differentially expressed genes were found after cutoff and pairwise comparison analysis. According to KEGG pathway analysis, plant hormone signaling transduction and metabolic pathways were found most significantly enriched in this study. A total of 60 transcription factor families such as MADS-box, NAC and TCP showed their role in this process. RT-qPCR assays confirmed that the expression levels were consistent with RNA-Seq results. This study provides an alternative to be considered for further studies and understanding of pistil abortion processes in Japanese apricot, and it provides a reference related to this issue for other deciduous fruit crops.

Highlights

Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc) is an important fruit and ornamental plant
This study provides a theoretical basis for stimulating flower and pistil development and has practical significance for improving yield and quality of Japanese apricot
Our results showed that the content of gibberellin was significantly higher in abortive pistils than that of normal pistils

Summary

Introduction

Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc) is an important fruit and ornamental plant. Et Zucc) is an important fruit and ornamental plant. It has great economic importance, high profit and world market demand, and it is used in value-added products like jams, pickles, etc. Pistil abortion is a widespread phenomenon occurring in fruit plants and has been discussed in different fruit crops like pomegranate, Xanthoceras sorbifolia and olive [4,5,6]. In Japanese apricot, the problem of pistil abortion is very common. Genes 2020, 11, 1079 and causes serious losses, such as decrease in fruit quality and yield, limiting the apricot growing industry. Several proteomic studies have been performed and found that glucose, starch and photosynthesis metabolisms were associated with pistil abortion [8]

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