Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses provide insights into the red pigmentation in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) peel

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) is a subtropical evergreen tree native to China. Generally, the pigments accumulated in the fruits of cultivated loquats are carotenoids rather than anthocyanins. In this study, we showed that the peel of ‘Shanpaisanhao’ loquats can accumulate anthocyanins and tur...

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Main Authors: Yaling Zhang, Xiuping Chen, Wenbing Su, Chaojun Deng, Jimou Jiang, Shaoquan Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1615281/full
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author Yaling Zhang
Xiuping Chen
Wenbing Su
Chaojun Deng
Jimou Jiang
Shaoquan Zheng
author_facet Yaling Zhang
Xiuping Chen
Wenbing Su
Chaojun Deng
Jimou Jiang
Shaoquan Zheng
author_sort Yaling Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) is a subtropical evergreen tree native to China. Generally, the pigments accumulated in the fruits of cultivated loquats are carotenoids rather than anthocyanins. In this study, we showed that the peel of ‘Shanpaisanhao’ loquats can accumulate anthocyanins and turn red. We further investigated the mechanisms underlying anthocyanin accumulation in the red-pigmented peels of ‘Shanpaisanhao’ loquats. RNA-seq analysis demonstrated that anthocyanin accumulation in loquat peel is associated with the upregulation of anthocyanin biosynthetic and transport genes as well as the transcriptional factor EjMYB10. Transient overexpression and dual luciferase assays showed that EjMYB10 could induce weak anthocyanin accumulation in tobacco leaves when co-expressed with PsbHLH3, and activate the promoters of EjF3′H, EjANS and EjUFGT. These results provide information for further elucidating the molecular mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation in the peel of SP3H loquat and for breeding of new red-pigmented loquat cultivars.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1664-462X
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Plant Science
spelling doaj-art-7e3b086733a3475bbc9d8109c9965e4e2025-08-20T03:31:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-06-011610.3389/fpls.2025.16152811615281Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses provide insights into the red pigmentation in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) peelYaling ZhangXiuping ChenWenbing SuChaojun DengJimou JiangShaoquan ZhengLoquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) is a subtropical evergreen tree native to China. Generally, the pigments accumulated in the fruits of cultivated loquats are carotenoids rather than anthocyanins. In this study, we showed that the peel of ‘Shanpaisanhao’ loquats can accumulate anthocyanins and turn red. We further investigated the mechanisms underlying anthocyanin accumulation in the red-pigmented peels of ‘Shanpaisanhao’ loquats. RNA-seq analysis demonstrated that anthocyanin accumulation in loquat peel is associated with the upregulation of anthocyanin biosynthetic and transport genes as well as the transcriptional factor EjMYB10. Transient overexpression and dual luciferase assays showed that EjMYB10 could induce weak anthocyanin accumulation in tobacco leaves when co-expressed with PsbHLH3, and activate the promoters of EjF3′H, EjANS and EjUFGT. These results provide information for further elucidating the molecular mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation in the peel of SP3H loquat and for breeding of new red-pigmented loquat cultivars.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1615281/fullloquatRNA-seqanthocyanin biosynthesisEjMYB10anthocyanin-targeted metabolome
spellingShingle Yaling Zhang
Xiuping Chen
Wenbing Su
Chaojun Deng
Jimou Jiang
Shaoquan Zheng
Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses provide insights into the red pigmentation in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) peel
Frontiers in Plant Science
loquat
RNA-seq
anthocyanin biosynthesis
EjMYB10
anthocyanin-targeted metabolome
title Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses provide insights into the red pigmentation in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) peel
title_full Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses provide insights into the red pigmentation in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) peel
title_fullStr Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses provide insights into the red pigmentation in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) peel
title_full_unstemmed Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses provide insights into the red pigmentation in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) peel
title_short Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses provide insights into the red pigmentation in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) peel
title_sort metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses provide insights into the red pigmentation in loquat eriobotrya japonica peel
topic loquat
RNA-seq
anthocyanin biosynthesis
EjMYB10
anthocyanin-targeted metabolome
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1615281/full
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