Abstract
Cultivars of the same species exhibit a large degree of variation in fruit quality traits, which can be directly influenced by differences in gene expression due to allelic variations and interactions with the environment. For Malus × domestica Borkh. (apple), fruit quality traits, including color, texture, aroma, flavor profile, and shelf life, are of utmost economic importance. In order to identify genes potentially influencing these traits, a direct comparative transcriptome profiling approach, based on the differential display technique, was performed using “Golden Delicious” and “Honeycrisp” apple endocarp and peel tissues. A total of 45 differentially expressed sequence tags were identified between the two apple varieties. Reanalysis of a previously published fruit developmental microarray expression experiment revealed that only one of the 45 sequence tags was represented on the array. Differential expression of 31 sequence tags from the peel tissue was validated using quantitative reverse transcription PCR, confirming the robustness of the differential display approach to quickly identify differentially expressed sequence tags. Among these were genes annotated to be involved in ripening, phytohormone signaling, transcription factors, and fruit texture. This work demonstrates yet again the utility of the differential display technique to rapidly identify genes related to desirable traits.
Highlights
Fruit quality traits vary across different cultivars of the same species during development, storage, and/or transit to market
HC and GD apples were harvested during two growing seasons at 125 or 129 and 150 or 160 days after anthesis (DAA), respectively
Apple ripening is characterized by the conversion of starches to simple sugars, decrease of total chlorophyll and photosynthetic activity, increase in total carotenoids, flesh softening and cell wall modification as well as accumulation of volatiles and flavor compounds [11,12,13]. Any differences in these properties would likely be mirrored in differences in gene expression
Summary
Fruit quality traits vary across different cultivars of the same species during development, storage, and/or transit to market. In pome fruit, these traits can be broadly classified as peel or endocarp-specific. Peel-specific traits include fruit color, photo-protective capacity, scalding susceptibility, lenticel injury, aroma, etc. Endocarp-specific traits include propensity for rotting and mold development, hypoxic injury, flesh-sweetness, acidity, and textural qualities. Adding further complexity, these traits are under polygenic control and can vary by season, soil conditions and elevation [1,2,3]. Development of new tree fruit cultivars remains a laborious and time-consuming process
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