GiESCO 2019 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 GiESCO 9 GiESCO 2019 9 Towards the definition of a detailed transcriptomic map of grape berry development

Towards the definition of a detailed transcriptomic map of grape berry development

Abstract

Context and purpose of the study ‐ In the last years the application of genomic tools to the analysis of gene expression during grape berry development generated a huge amount of transcriptomic data from different varieties and growing conditions. This information set the stage to understand the molecular basis of crucial developmental and metabolic rearrangements occurring during grape berry formation and ripening. It is now clear that the variation of a portion of berry transcriptome is conserved across cultivars and growing conditions, and thus may be used universally to describe the stage of berry development. In this work we explore the possibility of using the transcriptomic data generated from two cultivars to define a very detailed developmental map of the grape berry.

Material and methods ‐ To map the molecular events associated with berry development at very high temporal resolution, we performed RNA‐seq analysis of berry samples collected every week from fruit‐ set to maturity from Pinot noir and Cabernet Sauvignon vines grown in the same location. The experiment was replicated across three consecutive years (2012, 2013, 2014) resulting in 219 samples overall. Applying multivariate analyses to the most variable portion of the transcriptome, we built a transcriptomic model of berry development based on the molecular information obtained from samples of both cultivars.

Results ‐ The Pinot noir and Cabernet Sauvignon samples mostly aligned in a 3D transcriptomic map (~80% of the variance described by Principal Component Analysis), allowing to define a general model of berry development based on gene expression. The performance of the model in describing the development of other grape varieties was accessed projecting RNA‐seq samples of fruit development of ten Italian cultivars onto the model. Both red and white‐skin berry samples mapped on the transcriptomic map and revealed alignment by standard ripening parameters (e.g. total soluble solids) as well as unrelated to any of these. Moreover, we validated that berry maturation of the same cultivar cultivated in different International growing regions can be well represented and aligned by means of our transcriptomic map. These results showed that the transcriptomic information can be accessed to precisely define a model of “molecular phenology” that can be used to map the ontogenetic development of the fruit with high precision and to align the stage of berry development of different grapes. 

DOI:

Publication date: June 19, 2020

Issue: GiESCO 2019

Type: Article

Authors

Marianna FASOLI (1), Chandra L. RICHTER (1), Sara ZENONI (2), Marco SANDRI (2), Paola ZUCCOLOTTO (3), Mario PEZZOTTI (2), Nick DOKOOZLIAN (1), and Giovanni Battista TORNIELLI(2)

(1) E&J Gallo Winery, Modesto, CA 95353, USA
(2) Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
(3) Big & Open Data Innovation Laboratory, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy

Contact the author

Keywords

Grapevine, Berry development, Ripening, Molecular Phenology, Transcriptomics

Tags

GiESCO 2019 | IVES Conference Series

Citation

Related articles…

Vineyard soils and landscapes of the Burgundy Côte (France): a historical construction worth preserving

The construction of vineyard landscapes along the Burgundy Côte is the result of geological processes and of human labour. Substratum diversity in this vineyard is the result of a very long history explained by the diversity of Jurassic sedimentary facies and Tertiary tectonic activity. The nature and thickness of Quaternary deposits (Weichselian scree debris and alluvial fans) reflect sediment dynamics concurrent with the last glaciation.

AOC valorization of terroir nuances at plot scale in Burgundy

In the highly competitive global wine market, Burgundy has a long-established reputation to maintain. The vine and wine sector in Burgundy is based on a five-level ranking of AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) wines and of the plots where the grapes are grown.

The revision of the delimitation of the AOC “Champagne”

The Champagne vine-growing region has played a pioneering role in the delimitation of appellations of origin (AOC). The implementation of the Act of July, 22nd 1927 has led to drawing up lists of vine plots based on the criterion of vine cultivation antecedence.

Building of a hierarchy of wines based on terroirs: an initiative from the producers of Muscadet

The Muscadet area is situated in the southeast of Nantes, close to the Atlantic coast. It constitutes the western extension
of the French vineyard “Loire Valley”. The Muscadet is renowned and often spontaneously linked to a white wine.
However it remains misconceived as an ordinary wine, lacking authenticity.

How the physical components of the terroir can differently intervene in French wines DPO definitions.Example of Côte de Nuits in Burgundy

European regulations describe what elements must be given in the specifications of DPO determination ; mainly production conditions, links between quality and products characteristics and the physical traits of the production area. These elements are given in the “link to terroir” paragraph relating natural and human factors, detailed product characteristics linked to the geographical area and at last interactions between product originality and the geographical area.