Identification and functional analysis of genetic factors controlling fruit astringency in persimmon

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K14848
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 39030:Horticultural science-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Nishiyama Soichiro 京都大学, 農学研究科, 助教 (50827566)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 果樹 / プロアントシアニジン / 倍数性 / 果実品質 / ゲノム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to analyze the ASTRINGENCY (AST) locus determining the PCNA (non-astringent) trait in persimmons and elucidate the mechanism controlling proanthocyanidin accumulation. Within the approximately 900 kb AST region previously narrowed down, no mRNA or smRNA showed significant expression changes between PCNA and non-PCNA fruits. DNA sequence analysis using segregating progenies and cultivars identified 134 polymorphisms linked to the PCNA trait, but none resulted in nonsynonymous substitutions. However, a promising candidate gene was identified based on the polymorphism patterns. An interspecific structural comparison of the AST region was conducted using 10X Chromium and nanopore sequencing. Furthermore, analysis of ast-homozygous individuals exhibiting strong astringency in mature fruit, a challenge in persimmon breeding due to the difficulty in selecting against it, suggested that this trait is controlled by PA content independently of the AST genotype.

Free Research Field

果樹園芸学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、完全甘ガキ性を制御する有力な候補遺伝子を特定した。また、AST領域の多型パターンやゲノム構造の種間差異に関する情報を得た。さらに「渋残り」形質の制御メカニズムに関する知見を得た。これらの成果は、マーカー選抜やゲノム育種を通して効率的なカキ育種への応用が期待できる。また、得られた新たな材料や知見はカキの特異なプロアントシアニジン蓄積パターンの解明に今後展開される。