Weighted gene co-expression network analysis − based selection of hub genes related to phenolic and volatile compounds and seed coat color in sorghum

Abstract Background Sorghum grains are rich in phenolic compounds, which are noted for their anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as volatile compounds (VOCs) that contribute to aroma and fermentation processes. There is a known close relationship between sorghum coat c...

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Main Authors: Ye-Jin Lee, Woon Ji Kim, Seung Hyeon Lee, Jae Hoon Kim, Soon-Jae Kwon, Joon-Woo Ahn, Sang Hoon Kim, Jin-Baek Kim, Jae Il Lyu, Chang-Hyu Bae, Jaihyunk Ryu
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Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06657-w
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author Ye-Jin Lee
Woon Ji Kim
Seung Hyeon Lee
Jae Hoon Kim
Soon-Jae Kwon
Joon-Woo Ahn
Sang Hoon Kim
Jin-Baek Kim
Jae Il Lyu
Chang-Hyu Bae
Jaihyunk Ryu
author_facet Ye-Jin Lee
Woon Ji Kim
Seung Hyeon Lee
Jae Hoon Kim
Soon-Jae Kwon
Joon-Woo Ahn
Sang Hoon Kim
Jin-Baek Kim
Jae Il Lyu
Chang-Hyu Bae
Jaihyunk Ryu
author_sort Ye-Jin Lee
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Sorghum grains are rich in phenolic compounds, which are noted for their anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as volatile compounds (VOCs) that contribute to aroma and fermentation processes. There is a known close relationship between sorghum coat color and phenolic compound content (PCC), particularly flavonoids which are pigments that confer red and purple colors in flowers and seeds. Results Our results showed that black seeds had the highest total tannin content (TTC) and ketone content, which were measured at 457.7 mg CE g-1 and 96 g 100 g-1, respectively, which were 4.87 and 1.35 − fold higher than those of white seeds. L* showed a negative correlation between TTC (r = -0.770, P < 0.01) and ketone (r = -0.814, P < 0.01), while TFC and a* showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.829, P < 0.001). RNA sequencing analysis identified 1,422 up-regulated and 1,586 down-regulated differentially expressed genes. Weighted gene co-expression analysis highlighted two color-related gene modules: the magenta 2 module associated with TTC, TPC, VOCs and L* value, and the blue module associated with TFC, and a* values. Hub genes identified within these modules included ABCB28 in the magenta 2 module, and PTCD1 and ANK in the blue module. Conclusions We confirmed the relationship between PCC, VOCs, and seed coat color, with darker seed coat colors showing higher tannin, ketone contents and redder colors indicating higher flavonoid content. Network analysis helped pinpoint key genes involved in these traits. This study will provide essential data for improving the food and industrial use of sorghum.
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spelling doaj-art-bfcfa7a5a9964e58ad048278b56520e12025-08-20T01:52:22ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292025-05-0125111510.1186/s12870-025-06657-wWeighted gene co-expression network analysis − based selection of hub genes related to phenolic and volatile compounds and seed coat color in sorghumYe-Jin Lee0Woon Ji Kim1Seung Hyeon Lee2Jae Hoon Kim3Soon-Jae Kwon4Joon-Woo Ahn5Sang Hoon Kim6Jin-Baek Kim7Jae Il Lyu8Chang-Hyu Bae9Jaihyunk Ryu10Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research InstituteAdvanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research InstituteAdvanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research InstituteAdvanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research InstituteAdvanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research InstituteAdvanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research InstituteAdvanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research InstituteAdvanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research InstituteDepartment of Agricultural Biotechnology, Rural Development Administration (RDA), National Institute of Agricultural SciencesDeparment of Plant Production Sciences, Graduate School, Sunchon National UniversityAdvanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research InstituteAbstract Background Sorghum grains are rich in phenolic compounds, which are noted for their anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as volatile compounds (VOCs) that contribute to aroma and fermentation processes. There is a known close relationship between sorghum coat color and phenolic compound content (PCC), particularly flavonoids which are pigments that confer red and purple colors in flowers and seeds. Results Our results showed that black seeds had the highest total tannin content (TTC) and ketone content, which were measured at 457.7 mg CE g-1 and 96 g 100 g-1, respectively, which were 4.87 and 1.35 − fold higher than those of white seeds. L* showed a negative correlation between TTC (r = -0.770, P < 0.01) and ketone (r = -0.814, P < 0.01), while TFC and a* showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.829, P < 0.001). RNA sequencing analysis identified 1,422 up-regulated and 1,586 down-regulated differentially expressed genes. Weighted gene co-expression analysis highlighted two color-related gene modules: the magenta 2 module associated with TTC, TPC, VOCs and L* value, and the blue module associated with TFC, and a* values. Hub genes identified within these modules included ABCB28 in the magenta 2 module, and PTCD1 and ANK in the blue module. Conclusions We confirmed the relationship between PCC, VOCs, and seed coat color, with darker seed coat colors showing higher tannin, ketone contents and redder colors indicating higher flavonoid content. Network analysis helped pinpoint key genes involved in these traits. This study will provide essential data for improving the food and industrial use of sorghum.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06657-wSorghumSeed coat colorPhenolicsVolatile compoundR-seqNetwork analysis
spellingShingle Ye-Jin Lee
Woon Ji Kim
Seung Hyeon Lee
Jae Hoon Kim
Soon-Jae Kwon
Joon-Woo Ahn
Sang Hoon Kim
Jin-Baek Kim
Jae Il Lyu
Chang-Hyu Bae
Jaihyunk Ryu
Weighted gene co-expression network analysis − based selection of hub genes related to phenolic and volatile compounds and seed coat color in sorghum
BMC Plant Biology
Sorghum
Seed coat color
Phenolics
Volatile compound
R-seq
Network analysis
title Weighted gene co-expression network analysis − based selection of hub genes related to phenolic and volatile compounds and seed coat color in sorghum
title_full Weighted gene co-expression network analysis − based selection of hub genes related to phenolic and volatile compounds and seed coat color in sorghum
title_fullStr Weighted gene co-expression network analysis − based selection of hub genes related to phenolic and volatile compounds and seed coat color in sorghum
title_full_unstemmed Weighted gene co-expression network analysis − based selection of hub genes related to phenolic and volatile compounds and seed coat color in sorghum
title_short Weighted gene co-expression network analysis − based selection of hub genes related to phenolic and volatile compounds and seed coat color in sorghum
title_sort weighted gene co expression network analysis based selection of hub genes related to phenolic and volatile compounds and seed coat color in sorghum
topic Sorghum
Seed coat color
Phenolics
Volatile compound
R-seq
Network analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06657-w
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