Ripening Transcriptomic Program in Red and White Grapevine Varieties Correlates with Berry Skin Anthocyanin...

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Genomics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Grapevine berry development involves complex gene regulation.
• Previous transcriptomic studies often focused on single varieties, limiting comparative insights.
• Understanding cultivar-specific transcriptomic changes is crucial for grapevine research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To perform the first genome-wide transcriptional analysis of multiple grapevine varieties.
• To identify common transcriptomic traits (core transcriptome) during berry development.
• To elucidate transcriptomic differences between red and white grape berry varieties.

Main Methods:

• Genome-wide transcriptional analysis of 120 RNA samples from 10 Italian grapevine varieties.
• Samples collected at four distinct berry growth stages.
• Comparative analysis of transcriptomic data to identify cultivar-specific and common patterns.

Main Results:

• Defined the core transcriptome of grapevine berry development across all 10 varieties.
• Revealed greater transcriptomic variation among red cultivars compared to differences between red and white cultivars.
• Identified distinct gene expression patterns in phenylpropanoid/flavonoid biosynthesis between red and white berries.

Conclusions:

• Anthocyanin accumulation significantly impacts transcriptomic regulation in red berries.
• Cross-talk exists between stilbene biosynthesis activation and anthocyanin accumulation during ripening.
• This study provides a comprehensive transcriptomic resource for grapevine berry development.