Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identifies genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis and functional verification of hub gene SmWRKY44. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Yongjun; Wang, Zhaowei; Ge, Haiyan; Liu, Yang; Chen, Huoying
• Is Part Of: Plant science. Volume 309(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) -- Anthocyanin -- WGCNA -- SmWRKY44; Botany -- Periodicals; Botanique -- Périodiques; 580
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2021.110935
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-9452

Abstract

Highlights: The weighted gene co-expression network for light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in eggplant was constructed. The reliability of the weighted gene co-expression network was verified. Hub gene SmWRKY44 positively regulate eggplant anthocyanin biosynthesis. SmWRKY44 can interact with SmMYB1, they can jointly promote the biosynthesis of anthocyanins. Abstract: Eggplant is rich in anthocyanins, which are thought to be highly beneficial for human health. There is no study on weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of anthocyanin biosynthesis in eggplant. Here, transcriptome data of 33 eggplant pericarp samples treated with light were used for WGCNA to identify significant modules. Total 13000 DEGs and 12 modules were identified, and the most significant module was associated with the secondary metabolites pathways. In addition, the hub gene SmWRKY44 with high connectivity was selected and its function was verified. The expression of SmWRKY44 showed a significant correlation with anthocyanin accumulation in the eggplant peels, leaves, and flowers. SmWRKY44-OE Arabidopsis significantly increased the accumulation of anthocyanins. Yeast two-hybrid and BiFC assays showed that SmWRKY44 could interact with SmMYB1, and it was also found that they could jointly promote the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in eggplant leaves through transient expression analysis. Our work provides a new direction for studying the molecular mechanism of light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in eggplant.