Many candidates for a single chair: a critical review of the genetic determinant of flat fruit shape trait in peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch)

Abstract

Known since ancient times, flat-shaped peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) fruits have aroused considerable research interest. Breeding activities for this trait have expanded since the 1980s of the last century in several countries, in parallel with research into its genetic basis. Following the need for molecular markers to assist selection, linkage mapping studies have positioned the flat shape S locus at the end of chromosome 6. Recently, a series of independent studies focused on detailed characterization of the genomic region harbouring the S locus and different hypotheses about the candidate gene or variant were proposed: from a constitutively activated cell death 1 protein (PpCAD1) to a Brassinosteroid insensitive 1-associated receptor kinase 1 group (PpLRR-RLK) until the discovery of large structural variant (a chromosomal inversion of about 1.7 Mb) putatively affecting an OVATE Family Protein (PpOFP1) and a homolog of sucrose non-fermenting 1-related kinase (PpSNF4), respectively, located at the proximal and distal breakpoints. This short review revises historical studies and recent literature, integrating reanalysis of available genetic and genomic data, to provide a critical overview of the topic and highlight avenues for further research.