Deciphering Carotenoid and Flowering Pathway Gene Variations in Eastern and Western Carrots (

BACKGROUND/

objectivesCarrot is a major root vegetable in the

methodsTwelve RNA seq libraries obtained from distinct eastern and western cultivars at vegetative and reproductive developmental stages were utilized to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to decode the key molecular genetic changes in carotenoid and flowering pathways.

resultsIn the carotenoid pathway, an upregulation of the PSY, CRTISO, and LCYE genes was observed in the western cultivar, while the eastern cultivar exhibited a higher abundance of downstream enzymes, particularly CCD and NCED1. These later enzymes are crucial in linking apocarotenoids and xanthin-mediated ABA signaling. In the flowering pathway, we noted a greater expression of DEGs associated with the photoperiod and vernalization pathways in the western cultivar. In contrast, the eastern cultivar displayed a dominance of genes from the autonomous pathway (FLD, LD, FLK, and PEBP) that function to repress FLC. The experimental validation of 12 key genes through quantitative real-time PCR further confirms their functional role in carrots.

conclusionsThe identified key regulatory genes in these major pathways are valuable for designing breeding strategies for manipulating carotenoid content and flowering time while developing climate-specific carrots. The knowledge of carotenoid and flowering pathways is advantageous in producing nutritionally improved roots and seeds in carrots across diverse climates.