Comparative transcriptomics between peach almond and their interspecific F1 hybrid
Peach (Prunus persica) and almond (Prunus dulcis) are closely related species within the Prunus genus that exhibit contrasting fruit characteristics, particularly in terms of mesocarp expansion and ripening ability. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences, we conducted a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis during fruit development in the mesocarp of peach, almond, and their interspecific F1 hybrid, sampling at an early (T1) middle (T2) and ripening (T3) stage for each fruit. At a whole transcriptome level, we found distinct gene expression patterns during fruit development, with significant transcriptomic shifts in peach and the F1 hybrid peach type fruit after T2 stage, but limited changes in almond. KEGG and GO enrichment analyses revealed common regulatory pathways between peach and almond such as cell division and photosynthesis at the early fruit development and unique regulatory pathways, such as auxin response, endoreduplication, and cyanogenic compound metabolism, in peach, whereas abscisic acid and ethylene signaling related to stress responses were prominent in almond. In addition, an allele-specific expression (ASE) for the F1 hybrid fruits revealed 79, 51 and 119 peach ASE genes and 27, 51 and 77 almond ASE genes at T1, T2 and T3 respectively. Our findings shed light on key regulatory differences contributing to phenotypic divergence in mesocarp development and ripening between peach and almond, providing insights into the genetic regulation of fruit traits in Prunus species.
Peach (Prunus persica) and almond (Prunus dulcis) are closely related species within the Prunus genus that exhibit contrasting fruit characteristics, particularly in terms of mesocarp expansion and ripening ability. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences, we conducted a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis during fruit development in the mesocarp of peach, almond, and their interspecific F1 hybrid, sampling at an early (T1) middle (T2) and ripening (T3) stage for each fruit. At a whole transcriptome level, we found distinct gene expression patterns during fruit development, with significant transcriptomic shifts in peach and the F1 hybrid peach type fruit after T2 stage, but limited changes in almond. KEGG and GO enrichment analyses revealed common regulatory pathways between peach and almond such as cell division and photosynthesis at the early fruit development and unique regulatory pathways, such as auxin response, endoreduplication, and cyanogenic compound metabolism, in peach, whereas abscisic acid and ethylene signaling related to stress responses were prominent in almond. In addition, an allele-specific expression (ASE) for the F1 hybrid fruits revealed 79, 51 and 119 peach ASE genes and 27, 51 and 77 almond ASE genes at T1, T2 and T3 respectively. Our findings shed light on key regulatory differences contributing to phenotypic divergence in mesocarp development and ripening between peach and almond, providing insights into the genetic regulation of fruit traits in Prunus species.
Institut de recerca i tecnologies agroalimentaries