Abstract
Metabolic correlation networks have been used in several instances to obtain a deeper insight into the complexity of plant metabolism as a whole. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), metabolites have a major influence on taste and overall fruit quality traits. Previously a broad spectrum of metabolic and phenotypic traits has been described using a Solanum pennellii introgression-lines (ILs) population. To obtain insights into tomato fruit metabolism, we performed metabolic network analysis from existing data, covering a wide range of metabolic traits, including lipophilic and volatile compounds, for the first time. We provide a comprehensive fruit correlation network and show how primary, secondary, lipophilic, and volatile compounds connect to each other and how the individual metabolic classes are linked to yield-related phenotypic traits. Results revealed a high connectivity within and between different classes of lipophilic compounds, as well as between lipophilic and secondary metabolites. We focused on lipid metabolism and generated a gene-expression network with lipophilic metabolites to identify new putative lipid-related genes. Metabolite–transcript correlation analysis revealed key putative genes involved in lipid biosynthesis pathways. The overall results will help to deepen our understanding of tomato metabolism and provide candidate genes for transgenic approaches toward improving nutritional qualities in tomato.
Highlights
Plants produce a wide variety of biochemical compounds, starting at the central or primary metabolism which generates compounds absolutely vital for plant survival and continuing through the pathways of specialized or secondary metabolism [1,2,3,4,5]
S. pennellii ILs have contributed over the years to the investigation of more than 2500 quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with plant morphology and to our understanding of the genetic regulation of primary, associated with plant morphology and to our understanding of the genetic regulation of primary, secondary metabolism, and lipids [31]
We initially focused on correlations between lipids and phenotypic traits, volatiles, primary, We initiallymetabolites focused on(see correlations between lipids and phenotypic traits, volatiles, primary, and and secondary secondary metabolites
Summary
Plants produce a wide variety of biochemical compounds, starting at the central or primary metabolism which generates compounds absolutely vital for plant survival and continuing through the pathways of specialized or secondary metabolism [1,2,3,4,5]. Specialized metabolites display a tremendous diversity, are often specific to certain plant lineages, and play many different roles in adaptation to the environment [6]. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are often discussed as a subgroup of secondary metabolites, with their low molecular weight enabling movement across cell membranes and release into the surrounding environment [7]. Secondary metabolites can act as direct or indirect defense agents by deterring herbivores, fending off pathogens, and/or attracting predators or pollinators [8]. When it comes to human consumption of plants, secondary metabolites fulfill an important role, since they can have beneficial health effects and some of them contribute to flavor [9,10].
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