terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 New biotechnological approaches for a comprehensive characterization of AGL11 and its molecular mechanism underlying seedlessness trait in table grape

New biotechnological approaches for a comprehensive characterization of AGL11 and its molecular mechanism underlying seedlessness trait in table grape

Abstract

In table grapes seedlessness is a crucial breeding target, mainly results from stenospermocarpy, linked to the Thompson Seedless variety. Several studies investigated the genetic control of seedlessness identifying AGL11, a MADS-box transcription factor, as a crucial gene.

We performed a deep investigation of the whole AGL11 gene sequence in a collection of grapevine varieties revealing three different promoter-CDS combinations. By investigating the expression of the three AGL11 alleles and evaluating their ability to activate the promoter region, we show that AGL11 regulates its transcription in a specific promoter-CDS manner. By a multi-AGL11 co-expression analysis we identified a methyl jasmonate esterase, an indole-3-acetate beta-glucosyltransferase, and an isoflavone reductase as top AGL11 candidate targets. In vivo experiments further confirmed AGL11 role in regulating these genes, demonstrating its significant influence in seed development and thus in seedlessness trait.

The overall data allowed us to propose a novel regulatory mechanism correlating AGL11 haplotype assortment and seedlessness class, suggesting potential applications in grapevine breeding for seedlessness and fruit size optimization.

With the aim to validate in planta the proposed regulatory mechanism, we are working to stable transform ‘microvine’ plants for producing a truncated or inactivated AGL11 protein. We first demonstrated the ability of embryogenic calli, obtained from ‘microvine’ anthers collection and culture, to regenerate embryos capable of germinating and sprouting into a new plant. The use of ‘microvine’ as a model system offers promising outcomes for functional gene characterization, benefiting viticulture genetic improvement and seedless table grape cultivation.

DOI:

Publication date: June 14, 2024

Issue: Open GPB 2024

Type: Article

Authors

Alessandra Amato1*, Maria Francesca Cardone2, Oscar Bellon1, Lucia Rosaria Forleo2, Margherita D’Amico2, Carlo Bergamini2, Sara Zenoni1

1 Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
2 Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Turi, Bari, Italy

Contact the author*

Keywords

Table grape, Seedlessness, AGL11, Regulatory mechanism, Microvine

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Open GPB | Open GPB 2024

Citation

Related articles…

Évolutions qualitative et quantitative des flores microbiennes de moûts de pommes à cidre au cours de la fermentation: relations avec le terroir et la composition physico-chimique des fruits

En France, la filière A.O.C. cidricole emploie de plus en plus de levures initialement sélectionnées pour les fermentations des vins. Le risque d’une uniformisation organoleptique ou d’un marquage

Sensory and physicochemical impact of proanthocyanidic tannins on red wine fruity aroma

AIM: Previous research on the fruity character of red wines highlighted the role of esters [1]. Literature provides evidence that, besides these esters, other compounds that are not necessarily volatiles may have an important impact on the overall fruity aroma of wine, contributing to a masking effect [2][3]. The goal of this work was to assess the olfactory consequences of a mixture between esters and proanthocyanidic tannins, through sensory and physico-chemical approaches.

A microbial overview of txakoli wine: the case of three appellations of origin

The Txakoli, a white wine produced in the Basque Country (North of Spain), has recently gained popularity due to wine quality improvement and increase in both acreages of production and wine consumption. The aim of this study was to characterize the chemical and microbiological differences between Txakoli wines made with grapes from different sites.

Understanding the expression of gene families involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis during berry ripening: Tannat as a case study

The quality of wine is assessed, among other things, by its color, which is mainly due to its anthocyanin content. These pigments are polyphenols that give red, purple and blue hues depending on the relative proportion of anthocyanins produced by the action of flavonoid 3’5′ hydroxylase (delphinidin-3-glucoside, petunidin-3-glucoside, malvidin-3-glucoside) or flavonoid 3′ hydroxylase (cyanidin-3-glucoside, peonidin-3-glucoside). To study the genes involved in this biosynthetic pathway, we focused on Vitis vinifera cv. Tannat, known for producing wines with higher anthocyanin content and darker purple color compared to most red grape varieties. In this work, we have performed RNA-Seq analysis of skins during berry development, taking green and red berries at 50% veraison as separate samples, as an experimental strategy to focus on the differential expression of genes of interest.

Improvement of sparkling wines production by a zoning approach in Franciacorta (Lombardy, Italy)

Franciacorta is a viticultural area which extends in the hills to the South of Iseo lake in Lombardy. It is particularly famous for the production of sparkling wines obtained mostly from Chardonnay and Pinot blanc and noir grapes. The name of this territory is of medieval origin and appeared for the first time in 1277 as “Franzacurta”, from the Latin “franchae curtes”, i.e. “tax-free” monasteries. It was geographically delimited in 1429, when it was a territory of the Republic of Venezia.