terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Defining gene regulation and co-regulation at single cell resolution in grapevine

Defining gene regulation and co-regulation at single cell resolution in grapevine

Abstract

Conventional molecular analyses provide bulk genomic/transcriptomic data that are unable to reveal the cellular heterogeneity and to precisely define how gene networks orchestrate organ development. We will profile gene expression and identify open chromatin regions at the individual cells level, allowing to define cell-type specific regulatory elements, developmental trajectories and transcriptional networks orchestrating organ development and function. We will perform scRNA-seq and snATAC-seq on leaf/berry protoplasts and nuclei and combine them with the leaf/berry bulk tissues obtained results, where the analysis of transcripts, chromatin accessibility, histone modification and transcription factor binding sites showed that a large fraction of phenotypic variation appears to be determined by regulatory rather than coding variation and that many variants have an organ-specific effect. By bioinformatics approaches we will identify cell and gene clusters, interpreting the heterogeneity from single-cell transcriptomes; subsequently, we will perform in situ hybridizations to corroborate already predicted cell-type annotations and to identify new cell-type marker genes, required for the cell identity definition, and for the experimental validations of scRNA-seq data. The realization of a single cell resolution spatiotemporal transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility map of grapevine berry will allow to link gene expression profiles to cellular and developmental processes, uncovering part of the molecular mechanisms of ripening and slowly providing the key in maintaining high quality grapes and wine. Building organ-scale gene expression maps is essential to drive technological innovation such as reprogramming cell identity and inducing phenotypic changes via cell-type-specific gene editing.

DOI:

Publication date: June 14, 2024

Issue: Open GPB 2024

Type: Poster

Authors

Chiara Foresti1*, Michele Morgante2, Paola Paci3, Sara Zenoni1

1Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
2IGA and Department of Agri-food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Italy
3Institute for System Analysis and Computer Science “Antonio Ruberti”, National Research Council, Rome, Italy

Contact the author*

Keywords

Single-cell RNA-seq, single nucleus ATAC-seq, gene expression regulation, gene network, developmental trajectories

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Open GPB | Open GPB 2024

Citation

Related articles…

Aspetti legislativi di settore: e politiche comunitarie

Sulla base del tema assegnatomi è stata forte la tentazione di addentrarmi nel labirinto della regolamentazione comunitaria. Per buona pace degli intervenuti ho ritenuto, pero, poco utile una elencazione di numeri e riferimenti normativi che saranno brevemente riassunti in una tabella (TAB 1),

A Viticultural Terroir in Brazil: Change and continuity

The viticultural terroir at the Serra Gaúcha region, in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, is analyzed under historical and sociological viewpoints, aiming to understand the origin of its characteristics, and the risks for its continuity.

Developing an integrated viticulture in the upper part of the hill Somló

The hill Somló looks like a huge island wich jumps out of the see, a few kilometers away from the slope of Bakony highland and on the edge of the Hungarian small plane.

Root development and the performance of grapevines in response to natural as well as man‐made soil impediments

The majority of soils used for wine and table grape production in South Africa are notoriously shallow, i.e. they are restricting root penetration.

Amino nitrogen content in grapes: the impact of crop limitation

As an essential element for grapevine development and yield, nitrogen is also involved in the winemaking process and largely affects wine composition. Grape must amino nitrogen deficiency affects the alcoholic fermentation kinetics and alters the development of wine aroma precursors. It is therefore essential to control and optimize nitrogen use efficiency by the plant to guarantee suitable grape nitrogen composition at harvest. Understanding the impact of environmental conditions and cultural practices on the plant nitrogen metabolism would allow us to better orientate our technical choices with the objective of quality and sustainability (less inputs, higher efficiency). This trial focuses on the impact of crop limitation – that is a common practice in European viticulture – on nitrogen distribution in the plant and particularly on grape nitrogen composition. A wide gradient of crop load was set up in a homogeneous plot of Chasselas (Vitis vinifera) in the experimental vineyard of Agroscope, Switzerland. Dry weight and nitrogen dynamics were monitored in the roots, trunk, canopy and grapes, during two consecutive years, using a 15N-labeling method. Grape amino nitrogen content was assessed in both years, at veraison and at harvest. The close relationship between fruits and roots in the maintenance of plant nitrogen balance was highlighted. Interestingly, grape nitrogen concentration remained unchanged regardless of crop load to the detriment of the growth and nitrogen content of the roots. Meanwhile, the size and the nitrogen concentration of the canopy were not affected. Leaf gas exchange rates were reduced in response to lower yield conditions, reducing carbon and nitrogen assimilation and increasing intrinsic water use efficiency. The must amino nitrogen profiles could be discriminated as a function of crop load. These findings demonstrate the impact of plant balance on grape nitrogen composition and contribute to the improvement of predictive models and sustainable cultural practices in perennial crops.