Abstract
Coloring is an important appearance quality of fruit. In order to evaluate the relationship between metabolites and fruit color, we analyzed the metabolites and transcriptional profiles of two different Cerasus humilis cultivars: “RF” (cv. Zhangwu, red fruit) and “YF” (cv. Nongda No.5, yellow fruit). The results of identification and quantification of metabolites showed that there were significant differences in the contents of 11 metabolites between RF and YF. Transcriptomics was used to analyze the expression patterns of genes related to the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway, and subsequently, the regulation network of anthocyanin biosynthesis was established to explore their relationship with color formation. QRT-PCR, performed for 12 key genes, showed that the expression profiles of the differentially expressed genes were consistent with the results of the transcriptome data. A co-expression analysis revealed that the late genes were significantly positively correlated with most of the different metabolites. The results of the study provide a new reference for improving the fruit color of Cerasus humilis in the future.
Highlights
Cerasus humilis (Bge.) Sok, which belongs to the genus Cerasus in the family Rosaceae, is a small dwarf shrub that originated in China
To detect anthocyanins in the two cultivars, the extracts from the peels of RF and YF were analyzed by MRM, and 11 metabolites were identified as having significantly different contents, among which peonidin O-hexoside, cyanidin 3-O-malonylhexoside, pelargonidin
3,5-O-diglucoside, cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, and peonidin 3-O-glucoside chloride were found to be abundant in RF, whereas they could not be detected in YF (Table 1)
Summary
Cerasus humilis (Bge.) Sok, which belongs to the genus Cerasus in the family Rosaceae, is a small dwarf shrub that originated in China. The fruit of C. humilis can be eaten as a fruit; they are known as “calcium fruits”, owing to their relatively high calcium content [1,2,3]. They have a bright color, crystal beauty, and display an exceptionally wide diversity of fruit colors, including purple, red, yellow, and green [4]. This tree species has the advantages of early bearing, high yield, cold resistance, drought resistance, barren resistance, anti-wind abilities, sand-fixation, and soil conservation [5]. C. humilis seeds (semen pruni) have been used as a traditional
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
