Chalcone synthase (CHS) family members analysis from eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway and expression patterns in response to heat stress

PLoS One. 2020 Apr 17;15(4):e0226537. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226537. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Enzymes of the chalcone synthase (CHS) family participate in the synthesis of multiple secondary metabolites in plants, fungi and bacteria. CHS showed a significant correlation with the accumulation patterns of anthocyanin. The peel color, which is primarily determined by the content of anthocyanin, is an economically important trait for eggplants that is affected by heat stress. A total of 7 CHS (SmCHS1-7) putative genes were identified in a genome-wide analysis of eggplants (S. melongena L.). The SmCHS genes were distributed on 7 scaffolds and were classified into 3 clusters. Phylogenetic relationship analysis showed that 73 CHS genes from 7 Solanaceae species were classified into 10 groups. SmCHS5, SmCHS6 and SmCHS7 were continuously down-regulated under 38°C and 45°C treatment, while SmCHS4 was up-regulated under 38°C but showed little change at 45°C in peel. Expression profiles of key anthocyanin biosynthesis gene families showed that the PAL, 4CL and AN11 genes were primarily expressed in all five tissues. The CHI, F3H, F3'5'H, DFR, 3GT and bHLH1 genes were expressed in flower and peel. Under heat stress, the expression level of 52 key genes were reduced. In contrast, the expression patterns of eight key genes similar to SmCHS4 were up-regulated at a treatment of 38°C for 3 hour. Comparative analysis of putative CHS protein evolutionary relationships, cis-regulatory elements, and regulatory networks indicated that SmCHS gene family has a conserved gene structure and functional diversification. SmCHS showed two or more expression patterns, these results of this study may facilitate further research to understand the regulatory mechanism governing peel color in eggplants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyltransferases / genetics*
  • Acyltransferases / metabolism
  • Anthocyanins / genetics
  • Anthocyanins / metabolism
  • Biosynthetic Pathways
  • Flavonoids / genetics*
  • Flavonoids / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant*
  • Heat-Shock Response
  • Multigene Family
  • Phylogeny
  • Plant Proteins / genetics*
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Solanum melongena / genetics*
  • Solanum melongena / physiology
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Flavonoids
  • Plant Proteins
  • Acyltransferases
  • flavanone synthetase

Grants and funding

In addition, the authors have declared this work was supported by the Agricultural Committee Basic Project (Shanghai Agricultural word (2015) No 6-2-3), the National Key Technology R&D Program during the 13th Five-Year Plan Period (2017YFD0101904) and the China Agriculture Research System (Grant No. CARS-25). And the funding bodies supporting this work did not play a role in the design of the study and the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data or in the composition of the manuscript.