Research Project: Smoke Exposure Effects on the Grapevine Transcriptome and Metabalome

Location: Crop Improvement and Genetics Research

Project Number: 2030-21220-003-015-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 1, 2024
End Date: Aug 30, 2027

Objective:
The proposed research will continue the collaborative project investigating the grapevine smoke-responsive transcriptome and metabolome. The two datasets will be integrated to provide a better understanding of the physiological changes that occur in grapes in response to smoke exposure. Objective 1: Using previously developed approaches, evaluate vine response to smoke exposures pre- and post-veraison as expressed in changes in the RNA transcriptome and metabolome in leaves and fruit throughout the exposure period. This trial will extend beyond the end of the smoke exposures to evaluate vine response after the smoke exposure has ended. Objective 2: During a smoke exposure trial, cover a randomized set of shoots (including leaves) only, clusters only, both shoots and clusters, and neither shoots nor clusters, to evaluate the relative importance of translocation of smoke related glycosides from smoke exposed leaves to the fruit and direct exposure and glycosylation in the fruit itself.

Approach:
The evaluation of the grapevine response to smoke exposures in Objective 1 will include pre- and post- veraison samples and the evaluation of the response after the smoke exposure ends. This effort includes both field work conducting the exposure,and collection of sample materials, as well as in lab work performing RNA isolation and analysis, and the generation and analysis of the metabolomics data for the samples. Objective 2 will evaluate the relative importance of the exposure of the leaves versus the fruit. A preliminary version of this study was conducted during 2023. Initial results indicate that both leaf and berry exposure contribute to the concentration of marker compounds in grape berries following a smoke exposure. This study will evaluate the regulation of translocation systems in the leaves, as well as glycosylation systems in the berries during and after a smoke exposure. This objective would support in vitro enzyme activity studies of glycosyltransferases and other candidate genes/proteins. Completion of Objectives 1 and 2 will provide 3 years of results supporting the publication of the findings from this project.