Expression and function identification of senescence-associated genes under continuous drought treatment in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) leaves.

Natural leaf senescence is critical for plant fitness. Drought-induced premature leaf senescence affects grape yield and quality. However, reports on the regulatory mechanisms underlying premature leaf senescence under drought stress are limited. In this study, two-year-old potted 'Muscat Hamburg' grape plants were subjected to continuous natural drought treatment until mature leaves exhibited senescence symptoms. Physiological and biochemical indices related to drought stress and senescence were monitored. Transcriptome and transgenic Arabidopsis were used to perform expression analyses and functional identification of drought-induced senescence-associated genes. Twelve days of continuous drought stress was sufficient to cause various physiological disruptions and visible senescence symptoms in mature 'Muscat Hamburg' leaves. These disruptions included malondialdehyde and H2O2 accumulation, and decreased catalase activity and chlorophyll (Chl) levels. Transcriptome analysis revealed that most genes involved in photosynthesis and Chl synthesis were downregulated after 12 d of drought treatment. Three key Chl catabolic genes (SGR, NYC1, and PAO) were significantly upregulated. Overexpression of VvSGR in wild Arabidopsis further confirmed that SGR directly promoted early yellowing of cotyledons and leaves. In addition, drought treatment decreased expression of gibberellic acid signaling repressors (GAI and GAI1) and cytokinin signal components (AHK4, AHK2, RR22, RR9-1, RR9-2, RR6, and RR4) but significantly increased the expression of abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid signaling components and responsive transcription factors (bZIP40/ABF2, WRKY54/75/70, ANAC019, and MYC2). Moreover, some NAC members (NAC0002, NAC019, and NAC048) may also be drought-induced senescence-associated genes. These results provide extensive information on candidate genes involved in drought-induced senescence in grape leaves. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-024-01465-2.

Abscisic Acid Induces DNA Methylation Alteration in Genes Related to Berry Ripening and Stress Response in Grape (Vitis vinifera L).

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a major regulator of nonclimacteric fruit ripening, with its processes involving epigenetic mechanisms. It remains unclear whether DNA methylation is associated with ABA-regulated ripening. In this study, we investigated the patterns of DNA methylation and gene expression following ABA treatment in grape berries by using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and RNA-sequencing. ABA application changed global DNA methylation in grapes. The hyper-/hypo-differently methylated regions were enriched in defense-related metabolism, degreening processes, or ripening-related metabolic pathways. Many differentially expressed genes showed an alteration in DNA methylation after ABA treatment. Specifically, ten downregulated genes with hypermethylation in promoters were involved in the ripening process, ABA homeostasis/signaling, and stress response. Nine upregulated genes exhibiting hypo-methylation in promoters were related to the ripening process and stress response. These findings demonstrated ABA-induced DNA alteration of ripening related and stress-responsive genes during grape ripening, which provides new insights of the epigenetic regulation of ABA on fruit ripening.

Different frequencies of water deficit irrigation treatments improve fruit quality of Zitian seedless grapes under on-tree storage.

In this study, we assessed the impact of varied water deficit irrigation frequencies (T1: 2.5 L/4 days; T2: 5 L/8 days; CK: 5 L/4 days) on Zitian Seedless grapes from veraison to post-ripening. Notably, total soluble solids increased during on-tree storage compared to at maturity, while total anthocyanin content decreased, particularly in CK (60.16%), T1 (62.35%), and less in T2 (50.54%). Glucose and fructose levels increased significantly in T1 and T2, more so in T2, but slightly declined in CK. Tartaric acid content increased by 41.42% in T2. Moreover, compared to regular irrigation, water deficit treatments enhanced phenolic metabolites and volatile compounds, including chlorogenic acid, various flavonoids, viniferin, hexanal, 2-nonenal, 2-hexen-1-ol, (E)-, 3-hydroxy-dodecanoic acid, and 1-hexanol, etc. Overall, the T2 treatment outperformed T1 and CK in maintaining grape quality. This study reveals that combining on-tree storage with water deficit irrigation not only improves grape quality but also water efficiency.

Identification and expression analysis of invertase family genes during grape (Vitis vinifera L.) berry development under CPPU and GA treatment.

Sugar is crucial for grape berry, whether used for fresh food or wine. However, berry enlargement treatment with forchlorfenuron (N-(2-chloro4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea) (CPPU, a synthetic cytokinin) and gibberellin (GA) always had adverse effects on sugar accumulation in some grape varieties, especially CPPU. Therefore exploring the molecular mechanisms behind these adverse effects could provide a foundation for improving or developing technology to mitigate the effects of CPPU/GA treatments for grape growers. In the present study, invertase (INV) family, the key gene controlling sugar accumulation, was identified and characterized on the latest annotated grape genome. Their express pattern, as well as invertase activity and sugar content, were analyzed during grape berry development under CPPU and GA3 treatment to explore the potential role of INV members under berry enlargement treatment in grapes. Eighteen INV genes were identified and divided into two sub-families: 10 neutral INV genes (Vv-A/N-INV1-10) and 8 acid INV genes containing 5 CWINV (VvCWINV1-5) and 3 VIN (VvVIN1-3). At the early development stage, both CPPU and GA3 treatment decreased the hexose level in berries of 'Pinot Noir' grape, whereas the activity of three types inverstase (soluble acid INV, insoluble acid INV, and neutral INV) increased. Correspondingly, most of INV members were up-regulated by GA3 /CPPU application at least one sampling time point during early berry development, including VvCWINV1, 2, 3, 4, 5, VvVIN1, 2, 3 and Vv-A/N-INV1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10. At maturity, the sugar content in CPPU-treated berries is still lower than that in the control. Soluble acid INV and neutral INV, rather than insoluble acid INV, presented lower activity in CPPU-treated berries. Meanwhile, several corresponding genes, such as VvVIN2 and Vv-A/N-INV2, 8, 10 in ripening berries were obviously down-regulated by CPPU treatment. These results suggested that most of INV members could be triggered by berry enlargement treatment during early berry development, whereas VvVINs and Vv-A/N-INVs, but not VvCWINVs, could be the limiting factor resulting in decreased sugar accumulation in CPPU-treated berries at maturity. In conclusion, this study identified the INV family on the latest annotated grape genome and selected several potential members involving in the limit of CPPU on final sugar accumulation in grape berry. These results provide candidate genes for further study of the molecular regulation of CPPU and GA on sugar accumulation in grape.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Senescence-Associated Genes in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Reveal Their Potential Functions in Leaf Senescence Order.

Natural leaf senescence is an acclimation strategy that enables plants to reallocate nutrients. In the present study, interestingly, we found that the basal mature leaves of grapevine primary shoots (P) exhibited the earliest senescence, followed by the apical young leaves of secondary shoots (ST), and then the basal mature leaves of secondary shoots (S). The Chl level decreased with the extent of leaf senescence. According to the genome-wide identification and expression analysis, sixteen senescence-associated genes (SAGs) involved in Chl breakdown were identified in the grapevine genome. Their expression patterns showed that the transcript changes in VvSGR, VvPPH2, and VvFtsH6-2 corresponded to the changes in Chl content among P, S, and ST. The changes in the transcription of VvNYC1, VvSGR, VvPAO1, VvPAO2, VvPAO4, VvPPH1, VvPPH3, and VvFtsH6-1 only contributed to low Chl levels in P. The cis-element analysis indicated that these SAGs possessed several light- and hormone-responsive elements in their promoters. Among them, ABA-responsive elements were found in twelve of the sixteen promoters of SAGs. Correspondingly, ABA-signaling components presented various changes in transcription among P, S, and ST. The transcription changes in VvbZIP45 and VvSnRK2.1 were similar to those in VvSGR, VvPPH2, and VvFtsH6-2. The other nine ABA-signaling components, which included VvRCAR2, VvRCAR4, VvRCAR6, VvRCAR7, VvRCAR2, VvPP2C4, VvPP2C9, VvbZIP25, and VvSnRK2.3, were highly expressed in P but there was no difference between S and ST, with similar expression patterns for VvNYC1, VvSGR, VvPAO1, VvPAO2, VvPAO4, VvPPH1, VvPPH3, and VvFtsH6-1. These results suggested that the senescence of P and ST could be regulated by different members of Chl breakdown-related SAGs and ABA-signaling components. These findings provide us with important candidate genes to further study the regulation mechanism of leaf senescence order in grapevine.

Post-veraison different frequencies of water deficit strategies enhance Reliance grapes quality under root restriction.

In this study, two water deficit treatments in the same amount of water but with different frequencies (T1: 2.5 L per 4 d and T2: 5 L per 8 d) were performed on Reliance grapevines from veraison until harvest to explore their effects on grape berries quality under root restriction. Results showed that glucose, fructose and sucrose contents were increased, while malic acid, tartaric acid and citric acid contents were decreased under two treatments. Meanwhile, water deficits also promoted the accumulation of phenylalanine and proline. For phenols, anthocyanins, resveratrol and flavonols contents in the water deficit groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. In addition, two water deficit treatments increased the characteristic aromas contents, especially the esters contents. Overall, T2 treatment had a better effect than T1 treatment. This study provided an idea for improving water use efficiency and grape quality.

Transcription Profiles Reveal Age-Dependent Variations of Photosynthetic Properties and Sugar Metabolism in Grape Leaves (Vitis vinifera L.).

Leaves, considered as the 'source' organs, depend on the development stages because of the age-dependent photosynthesis and assimilation of leaves. However, the molecular mechanisms of age-dependent limitations on the function of leaves are seldom reported. In the present study, the photosynthesis-related characteristics and photoassimilates were investigated in grape leaves at six different age groups (Ll to L6) at micro-morphological, biochemical, and molecular levels. These results showed lower expression levels of genes associated with stomatal development, and chl biosynthesis resulted in fewer stomata and lowered chlorophyll a/b contents in L1 when compared to L3 and L5. The DEGs between L5 and L3/L1 were largely distributed at stomatal movement, carbon fixation, and sucrose and starch metabolism pathways, such as STOMATAL ANION CHANNEL PROTEIN 1 (SLAC1), FRUCTOSE-1,6-BISPHOSPHATE ALDOLASE (FBA1), SUCROSE-PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE (SPP1), and SUCROSE-PHOSPHATE PHOSPHATASE (SPS2, 4). These genes could be major candidate genes leading to increased photosynthesis capacity and sugar content in L5. The accumulation of starch grains in the chloroplast and palisade tissue of L5 and higher transcription levels of genes related to starch biosynthesis in L5 further supported the high ability of L5 to produce photoassimilates. Hence, our results provide insights for understanding different photosynthetic functions in age-dependent leaves in grape plants at the molecular level.

The Molecular Regulation of Carbon Sink Strength in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.).

Sink organs, the net receivers of resources from source tissues, provide food and energy for humans. Crops yield and quality are improved by increased sink strength and source activity, which are affected by many factors, including sugars and hormones. With the growing global population, it is necessary to increase photosynthesis into crop biomass and yield on a per plant basis by enhancing sink strength. Sugar translocation and accumulation are the major determinants of sink strength, so understanding molecular mechanisms and sugar allocation regulation are conducive to develop biotechnology to enhance sink strength. Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is an excellent model to study the sink strength mechanism and regulation for perennial fruit crops, which export sucrose from leaves and accumulates high concentrations of hexoses in the vacuoles of fruit mesocarp cells. Here recent advances of this topic in grape are updated and discussed, including the molecular biology of sink strength, including sugar transportation and accumulation, the genes involved in sugar mobilization and their regulation of sugar and other regulators, and the effects of hormones on sink size and sink activity. Finally, a molecular basis model of the regulation of sugar accumulation in the grape is proposed.