Abstract Here we respond to Zhou (BMC Genomics 21:734, 2020) “Combined Transcriptome and Metabolome analysis of Pitaya fruit unveiled the mechanisms underlying peel and pulp color formation” published in BMC Genomics. Given the evolutionary conserved anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway in betalain-pigmented species, we are open to the idea that species with both anthocyanins and betalains might exist. However, in absence of LC-MS/MS spectra, apparent lack of biological replicates, and no comparison to authentic standards, the findings of Zhou (BMC Genomics 21:734, 2020) are not a strong basis to propose the presence of anthocyanins in betalain-pigmented pitaya. In addition, our re-analysis of the datasets indicates the misidentification of important genes and the omission of key flavonoid and anthocyanin synthesis genes ANS and DFR. Finally, our re-analysis of the RNA-Seq dataset reveals no correlation between anthocyanin biosynthesis gene expression and pigment status.
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This content will become publicly available on January 1, 2025
Multiple mechanisms explain loss of anthocyanins from betalain‐pigmented Caryophyllales, including repeated wholesale loss of a key anthocyanidin synthesis enzyme
In this study, we investigate the genetic mechanisms responsible for the loss of anthocyanins in betalain‐pigmented Caryophyllales, considering our hypothesis of multiple transitions to betalain pigmentation. Utilizing transcriptomic and genomic datasets across 357 species and 31 families, we scrutinize 18 flavonoid pathway genes and six regulatory genes spanning four transitions to betalain pigmentation. We examined evidence for hypotheses of wholesale gene loss, modified gene function, altered gene expression, and degeneration of the MBW (MYB‐bHLH‐WD40) trasnscription factor complex, within betalain‐pigmented lineages. Our analyses reveal that most flavonoid synthesis genes remain conserved in betalain‐pigmented lineages, with the notable exception of Consequently, the loss and exclusion of anthocyanins in betalain‐pigmented species appear to be orchestrated through several mechanisms: loss of a key enzyme, downregulation of synthesis genes, and degeneration of regulatory complexes. These changes have occurred iteratively in Caryophyllales, often coinciding with evolutionary transitions to betalain pigmentation.
- Award ID(s):
- 1939226
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10492350
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- New Phytologist
- Volume:
- 241
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 0028-646X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 471 to 489
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Abstract Here we respond to the paper entitled “ Contribution of anthocyanin pathways to fruit flesh coloration in pitayas ” (Fan et al., BMC Plant Biol 20:361, 2020). In this paper Fan et al. 2020 propose that the anthocyanins can be detected in the betalain-pigmented genus Hylocereus , and suggest they are responsible for the colouration of the fruit flesh. We are open to the idea that, given the evolutionary maintenance of fully functional anthocyanin synthesis genes in betalain-pigmented species, anthocyanin pigmentation might co-occur with betalain pigments, as yet undetected, in some species. However, in absence of the LC-MS/MS spectra and co-elution/fragmentation of the authentic standard comparison, the findings of Fan et al. 2020 are not credible. Furthermore, our close examination of the paper, and re-analysis of datasets that have been made available, indicate numerous additional problems. Namely, the failure to detect betalains in an untargeted metabolite analysis, accumulation of reported anthocyanins that does not correlate with the colour of the fruit, absence of key anthocyanin synthesis genes from qPCR data, likely mis-identification of key anthocyanin genes, unreproducible patterns of correlated RNAseq data, lack of gene expression correlation with pigmentation accumulation, and putative transcription factors that are weak candidates for transcriptional up-regulation of the anthocyanin pathway.more » « less
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