Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2024, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (9): 212-224.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2024-0276

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Screening Genes Related to Male Sterile in Welsh Onion(Allium fistulosum L.) Based on Transcriptomic Profiling and WGCNA

YUE Li-xin(), WANG Qing-hua, LIU Ze-zhou, KONG Su-ping, GAO Li-min()   

  1. Shandong Key Laboratory of Greenhouse Vegetable Biology, Shandong Branch of National Vegetable Improvement Center, Huanghuai Region Vegetable Scientific Station of Ministry of Agriculture(Shandong), Institute of Vegetables, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100
  • Received:2024-03-21 Online:2024-09-26 Published:2024-10-12
  • Contact: GAO Li-min E-mail:yuelixin.happy@163.com;lmgao1201@163.com

Abstract:

【Objective】The aim of this study is to identify the co-expression modules of male sterile Welsh onion(Allium fistulosum L.)and to screen key hub genes, so as to provide deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms of male sterile in the Welsh onion. 【Method】Twenty-four cDNA libraries were constructed and sequenced for different development stages of flower buds from the male-sterile(MS)plants and male-fertile(MF)plants. Then weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA)was performed to reveal the key modules and hub genes. 【Result】A total of eighteen co-expression modules were identified based on 8,320 genes, among which three modules(blue, midnightblue, and black)were significantly correlated with pollen abortion of the MS plant. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that several pathways associated with the “phenylpropanoid biosynthesis” “cutin, suberine, and wax biosynthesis” “starch and sucrose metabolism” “alpha-linolenic acid metabolism” and “fatty acid elongation” were found to be involved in pollen abortion of the MS plant. By considering gene significance and intramodular connectivity, several hub genes including atpB, TPS9, TPD1, and BHLH35, were identified, which might play key roles in pollen development of the Welsh onion. Then hub genes related to pollen development response were verified for quantitative real-time PCR(RT-qPCR)analysis, and the expression patterns of RNA-Seq and RT-qPCR were very consistent. 【Conclusion】Three key modules of male sterile Welsh Onion are obtained, and hub genes like atpB, TPS9, and TPD1 are identified. It is found that the pollen abortion of the MS plant mainly is involved the processes of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, cutin, suberine, and wax biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism, and fatty acid elongation.

Key words: Welsh onion, male sterile, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, RNA-Seq, hub gene