Transcriptomic and Metabolic Analysis Reveals Genes and Pathways Associated with Flesh Pigmentation in Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i>) Tubers

Anthocyanins, flavonoid pigments, are responsible for the purple and red hues in potato tubers. This study analyzed tubers from four potato cultivars—red RR, purple HJG, yellow QS9, and white JZS8—to elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying tuber pigmentation. Our transcriptomic analysis identifi...

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Main Authors: Man Li, Yuting Xiong, Xueying Yang, Yuliang Gao, Kuihua Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Current Issues in Molecular Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/46/9/615
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author Man Li
Yuting Xiong
Xueying Yang
Yuliang Gao
Kuihua Li
author_facet Man Li
Yuting Xiong
Xueying Yang
Yuliang Gao
Kuihua Li
author_sort Man Li
collection DOAJ
description Anthocyanins, flavonoid pigments, are responsible for the purple and red hues in potato tubers. This study analyzed tubers from four potato cultivars—red RR, purple HJG, yellow QS9, and white JZS8—to elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying tuber pigmentation. Our transcriptomic analysis identified over 2400 differentially expressed genes between these varieties. Notably, genes within the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were enriched in HJG and RR compared to the non-pigmented JZS8, correlating with their higher levels of anthocyanin precursors and related substances. Hierarchical clustering revealed inverse expression patterns for the key genes involved in anthocyanin metabolism between pigmented and non-pigmented varieties. Among these, several MYB transcription factors displayed strong co-expression with anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, suggesting a regulatory role. Specifically, the expression of 16 <i>MYB</i> genes was validated using qRT-PCR to be markedly higher in pigmented HJG and RR versus JZS8, suggesting that these <i>MYB</i> genes might be involved in tuber pigmentation. This study comprehensively analyzed the transcriptome of diverse potato cultivars, highlighting specific genes and metabolic pathways involved in tuber pigmentation. These findings provide potential molecular targets for breeding programs focused on enhancing tuber color.
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spelling doaj-art-d1ecf26010fb4718a0f9727c61a8540d2025-08-20T01:55:22ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452024-09-01469103351035010.3390/cimb46090615Transcriptomic and Metabolic Analysis Reveals Genes and Pathways Associated with Flesh Pigmentation in Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i>) TubersMan Li0Yuting Xiong1Xueying Yang2Yuliang Gao3Kuihua Li4Agricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, ChinaAgricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, ChinaAgricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, ChinaYanbian Agricultural Sciences Academy, Longjing 133400, ChinaAgricultural College, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, ChinaAnthocyanins, flavonoid pigments, are responsible for the purple and red hues in potato tubers. This study analyzed tubers from four potato cultivars—red RR, purple HJG, yellow QS9, and white JZS8—to elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying tuber pigmentation. Our transcriptomic analysis identified over 2400 differentially expressed genes between these varieties. Notably, genes within the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were enriched in HJG and RR compared to the non-pigmented JZS8, correlating with their higher levels of anthocyanin precursors and related substances. Hierarchical clustering revealed inverse expression patterns for the key genes involved in anthocyanin metabolism between pigmented and non-pigmented varieties. Among these, several MYB transcription factors displayed strong co-expression with anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, suggesting a regulatory role. Specifically, the expression of 16 <i>MYB</i> genes was validated using qRT-PCR to be markedly higher in pigmented HJG and RR versus JZS8, suggesting that these <i>MYB</i> genes might be involved in tuber pigmentation. This study comprehensively analyzed the transcriptome of diverse potato cultivars, highlighting specific genes and metabolic pathways involved in tuber pigmentation. These findings provide potential molecular targets for breeding programs focused on enhancing tuber color.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/46/9/615potato tuberanthocyanintranscriptomicsflavonoid biosynthesisMYB transcription factors
spellingShingle Man Li
Yuting Xiong
Xueying Yang
Yuliang Gao
Kuihua Li
Transcriptomic and Metabolic Analysis Reveals Genes and Pathways Associated with Flesh Pigmentation in Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i>) Tubers
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
potato tuber
anthocyanin
transcriptomics
flavonoid biosynthesis
MYB transcription factors
title Transcriptomic and Metabolic Analysis Reveals Genes and Pathways Associated with Flesh Pigmentation in Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i>) Tubers
title_full Transcriptomic and Metabolic Analysis Reveals Genes and Pathways Associated with Flesh Pigmentation in Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i>) Tubers
title_fullStr Transcriptomic and Metabolic Analysis Reveals Genes and Pathways Associated with Flesh Pigmentation in Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i>) Tubers
title_full_unstemmed Transcriptomic and Metabolic Analysis Reveals Genes and Pathways Associated with Flesh Pigmentation in Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i>) Tubers
title_short Transcriptomic and Metabolic Analysis Reveals Genes and Pathways Associated with Flesh Pigmentation in Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i>) Tubers
title_sort transcriptomic and metabolic analysis reveals genes and pathways associated with flesh pigmentation in potato i solanum tuberosum i tubers
topic potato tuber
anthocyanin
transcriptomics
flavonoid biosynthesis
MYB transcription factors
url https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/46/9/615
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AT xueyingyang transcriptomicandmetabolicanalysisrevealsgenesandpathwaysassociatedwithfleshpigmentationinpotatoisolanumtuberosumitubers
AT yulianggao transcriptomicandmetabolicanalysisrevealsgenesandpathwaysassociatedwithfleshpigmentationinpotatoisolanumtuberosumitubers
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