Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Key Genes Involved in Trichome Formation in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Genomics
• Molecular Genetics

Background:

• Trichomes are vital plant epidermal structures for stress defense.
• Molecular mechanisms of pepper epidermal trichome development remain largely unelucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify genes regulating pepper epidermal trichome development using transcriptome analysis.
• To compare gene expression between pepper lines with high and low trichome density.

Main Methods:

• RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) to quantify gene expression in two pepper lines (A114 and A115).
• Differential gene expression (DEG) analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment.
• Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to build gene co-expression networks.

Main Results:

• Identified 18,833 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between pepper lines.
• DEGs were enriched in plant-pathogen interaction, MAPK signaling, and plant hormone signal transduction pathways.
• Key genes including GID1B-like, PR-6, MYB108, ABR1-like, PGIP-like, and At5g49770 showed higher expression in the high-trichome line (A115), especially in flowering leaves.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a comprehensive transcriptomic dataset for pepper epidermal trichome development.
• Identified candidate genes offer a foundation for understanding and manipulating trichome formation in peppers.
• Positive correlations among identified genes suggest a coordinated regulatory network for trichome development.