Transcriptome analysis reveals candidate genes for dietary fiber metabolism in Rosa roxburghii fruit grown under different light intensities

Abstract

The fruit of the perennial rosebush Rosa roxburghii were valued for their high levels of ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase activity, and cancer preventing effects. The high cellulose and low pectin content of Rosa roxburghii fruit results in an undesirable fibrous texture and hence needs to be addressed. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying dietary fiber metabolism in this fruit. Here, we report that the contents of cellulose, pectin, and lignin were increased by shading treatments at the maturation stage of fruit development. Under 50% shading, the soluble pectin content increased by 16.39%, which may improve the fruit palatability. However, deeper shading of 100% caused the lignin content to increase by 28.86%, which conversely may lower fruit quality. Based on transcriptome analysis, we identified candidate genes involved in dietary fiber metabolism, including cellulose synthase (CesA) 1, 2, 3, and 5, â-1,4-xylosyltransferase (IRX), arabinosyltransferase (ARAD) 1 and 2, galacturonosyltransferase (GAUT), cellulolytic enzyme (Cx), and pectin methylesterase, in which CesA1, CesA2, CesA3, IRX, ARAD2, and GAUT3 significantly responded to shading and positively correlated with the content of their corresponding component. Furthermore, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase was significantly regulated by shading treatment and positively correlated with increasing lignin concentration. These results may facilitate a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of dietary fiber metabolism in R. roxburghii fruit under low light conditions and provide a framework for future crop improvement.