A long noncoding RNA functions in pumpkin fruit development through S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase

Area of Science:

• Plant Molecular Biology
• Transcriptomics
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial regulators of diverse biological processes.
• The roles of lncRNAs in fruit development remain largely unexplored.
• Pumpkins (Cucurbita spp.) serve as a valuable model for studying fruit development due to their diverse morphology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize lncRNAs involved in pumpkin fruit development.
• To elucidate the regulatory mechanism of a specific lncRNA, MSTRG.44863.1, in fruit growth.

Main Methods:

• Strand-specific transcriptome sequencing of pumpkin fruits across six developmental stages.
• Differential expression analysis to identify key lncRNAs.
• Functional assays including transient overexpression, silencing, RNA pull-down, and microscale thermophoresis.

Main Results:

• Identification of 5,425 expressed lncRNAs and 332 differentially expressed lncRNAs during fruit development.
• MSTRG.44863.1 was identified as a negative regulator of pumpkin fruit development.
• MSTRG.44863.1 interacts with S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase (SAMS), affecting ethylene synthesis and consequently fruit development.

Conclusions:

• MSTRG.44863.1 plays a significant role in regulating pumpkin fruit development.
• The lncRNA likely functions by modulating ethylene biosynthesis through interaction with SAMS.
• This study provides valuable lncRNA resources and insights into plant fruit development regulation.