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Published on: October 5, 2016
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VvWUS increases carpel number by upregulating VvAG2 expression in grapevine.
Jiang Wu1, Zhenhua Liu1, Jianfang Hu1
1College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Plant Cell Reports
|May 29, 2025
Summary
Grapevine VvWUS positively influences carpel number by forming heterodimers with VvSTMa/VvSTMb proteins. This interaction enhances VvAG2 gene expression, impacting floral development and potentially increasing grape yield and fruit size.
Area of Science:
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Horticultural Science
Background:
- The WUSCHEL-CLAVATA3 signaling pathway is crucial for shoot apical meristem maintenance and floral organ development.
- Carpel number and fruit morphology are key traits in horticultural plants, influencing yield and quality.
- The grapevine cultivar 'Xiangfei' exhibits natural variation in carpel number, making it a model for studying this trait.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of VvWUS in regulating carpel number in Vitis vinifera 'Xiangfei'.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanism by which VvWUS influences carpel development.
- To explore the potential of VvWUS for molecular breeding in grapevines.
Main Methods:
- Correlation analysis of VvWUS expression levels with carpel number variation.
- Generation of transgenic tomato plants overexpressing VvWUS.
- Analysis of shoot apical meristem (SAM)-related gene expression in transgenic plants.
- Protein-protein interaction studies to identify VvWUS heterodimer partners (VvSTMa, VvSTMb).
- Gene expression analysis to confirm VvAG2 activation by VvWUS.
Main Results:
- A positive correlation was observed between VvWUS expression and carpel number across grapevine cultivars.
- Overexpression of VvWUS in transgenic tomato plants led to an increased carpel number and altered SAM-related gene expression.
- VvWUS was found to form heterodimers with VvSTMa and VvSTMb proteins.
- VvWUS was confirmed to activate the expression of the VvAG2 gene.
Conclusions:
- VvWUS positively regulates carpel number in grapevines through heterodimerization with VvSTMa and VvSTMb.
- This interaction enhances downstream VvAG2 gene expression, essential for carpel formation.
- The findings provide a molecular basis for breeding strategies to improve grape yield and fruit size.
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