Abstract
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is a nutritious vegetable crop of Asian origin, used as a medicinal herb in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine. Molecular breeding in bitter gourd is in its infancy, due to limited molecular resources, particularly on functional markers for traits such as gynoecy. We performed de novo transcriptome sequencing of bitter gourd using Illumina next-generation sequencer, from root, flower buds, stem and leaf samples of gynoecious line (Gy323) and a monoecious line (DRAR1). A total of 65,540 transcripts for Gy323 and 61,490 for DRAR1 were obtained. Comparisons revealed SNP and SSR variations between these lines and, identification of gene classes. Based on available transcripts we identified 80 WRKY transcription factors, several reported in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses; 56 ARF genes which play a pivotal role in auxin-regulated gene expression and development. The data presented will be useful in both functions studies and breeding programs in bitter gourd.
Highlights
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L., 2n = 2x = 22) is a cucurbitaceous vegetable originated in tropical Asia and is intensively distributed in India, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and many regions of Africa and South America
We present a comprehensive de novo transcriptome assembly of the bitter gourd for monoecious and gyneocious lines, and report a set of differentially expressed transcripts implicated in the floral differentiation, and demonstrate a set of transcripts annotated to the plant hormone response pathway that are significantly differentially regulated between the Gyno versus the Mono lines
Inheritance of gynoecism has been documented in bitter gourd [42] and gynoecious lines are commercially used for cost effective hybrid seed production [43, 44]
Summary
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L., 2n = 2x = 22) is a cucurbitaceous vegetable originated in tropical Asia and is intensively distributed in India, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and many regions of Africa and South America. The exact information about its centre of origin, yet undefined, molecular studies indicate the centre of origin as areas within eastern India [1, 2, 3]. Bitter gourd known as bitter melon, balsam apple, balsam pear, bitter squash, etc. Has been cultivated as food and medicines. The prefix ‘bitter’ to this crop has been most likely attributed to the compounds imparting the bitter taste. The important component of bitter gourd that manifests the medicinal properties are triterpine, phenolic compounds [4], PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0128331. The important component of bitter gourd that manifests the medicinal properties are triterpine, phenolic compounds [4], PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0128331 June 5, 2015
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