The domestication of Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus (globe artichoke) has led to the selection of diverse ecotypes with distinct morphological and agronomic traits. To gain insight into the genetic basis of this domestication, we constructed a linear pan-genome using genome resequencing data from several representative commercial artichoke ecotypes ('Spinosi,' 'Violetti,' 'Romaneschi,' and 'Catanesi'), alongside a newly sequenced local variety, 'Asti Sorì'. All genomes were reconstructed based on the reference genome of the species (v2 - www.artichokegenome.unito.it). Our annotated pan-genome revealed substantial genetic diversity, particularly in resistance-related genes, and provided a foundation for phylogenetic analyses that clarified relationships among the studied accessions. Selective sweep analysis focusing on anthocyanin content in the floral head identified significant regions of interest across 10 of the 17 chromosomes. Candidate gene analysis highlighted ~120 potential genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, including transcription factors and functional genes. Further network analysis and microsynteny studies narrowed down ~20 candidate genes that may have played crucial roles in artichoke domestication, contributing to the selection of ecotypes with either green or purple floral heads, such as ANL2, a homeobox-leucine zipper protein previously described for its role in anthocyanin accumulation in plant tissues, and CHS, a well-known chalcone synthase placed at the really top of the anthocyanin pathway. These findings deepen our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying phenotypic variation and domestication in globe artichoke, providing valuable insights for future breeding programs.
Pan-Genome Construction and Genome Resequencing Provide New Insights into Globe Artichoke Anthocyanin Regulation
Martina M.;Vergnano E.;Gaccione L.;Acquadro A.;Comino C.;Barchi L.;Portis E.
2025-01-01
Abstract
The domestication of Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus (globe artichoke) has led to the selection of diverse ecotypes with distinct morphological and agronomic traits. To gain insight into the genetic basis of this domestication, we constructed a linear pan-genome using genome resequencing data from several representative commercial artichoke ecotypes ('Spinosi,' 'Violetti,' 'Romaneschi,' and 'Catanesi'), alongside a newly sequenced local variety, 'Asti Sorì'. All genomes were reconstructed based on the reference genome of the species (v2 - www.artichokegenome.unito.it). Our annotated pan-genome revealed substantial genetic diversity, particularly in resistance-related genes, and provided a foundation for phylogenetic analyses that clarified relationships among the studied accessions. Selective sweep analysis focusing on anthocyanin content in the floral head identified significant regions of interest across 10 of the 17 chromosomes. Candidate gene analysis highlighted ~120 potential genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, including transcription factors and functional genes. Further network analysis and microsynteny studies narrowed down ~20 candidate genes that may have played crucial roles in artichoke domestication, contributing to the selection of ecotypes with either green or purple floral heads, such as ANL2, a homeobox-leucine zipper protein previously described for its role in anthocyanin accumulation in plant tissues, and CHS, a well-known chalcone synthase placed at the really top of the anthocyanin pathway. These findings deepen our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying phenotypic variation and domestication in globe artichoke, providing valuable insights for future breeding programs.
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
