Basic Leucine zipper gene VvbZIP61 is expressed at a quantitative trait locus for high monoterpene content in grape berries

Authors: ZHANG, YUYU - Chinese Academy Of Sciences; LIU, CUIXIA - Shangluo University; LIU, XIANJU - Chinese Academy Of Sciences; WANG, ZEMIN - Chinese Academy Of Sciences; WANG, YI - Chinese Academy Of Sciences; Zhong, Gan-Yuan; LI, SHAOHUA - Chinese Academy Of Sciences; DUCHENE, ERIC - Université De Strasbourg: Accueil; DAI, ZHANWU - Chinese Academy Of Sciences; LIANG, ZHENCHANG - Chinese Academy Of Sciences; FANG, PEIGE - Chinese Academy Of Sciences

Submitted to: Horticulture Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/18/2023
Publication Date: 7/26/2023
Citation: Zhang, Y., Liu, C., Liu, X., Wang, Z., Wang, Y., Zhong, G., Li, S., Duchene, E., Dai, Z., Liang, Z., Fang, P. 2023. Basic Leucine zipper gene VvbZIP61 is expressed at a quantitative trait locus for high monoterpene content in grape berries. Horticulture Research. https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhad151.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhad151

Interpretive Summary: Numerous volatile compounds have been identified and quantified in grapes and wine. One of the classes of volatile compounds is monoterpenes. The content and composition of monoterpenes are influenced by many factors. In this study, we developed and studied a population which segregated in its progeny lines for monoterpenes. We investigated the content and composition of monoterpenes in the berries of the progeny lines over 3 years using high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We also constructed a high density genetic linkage map with 3,413 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. By associating the content and composition of monoterpenes with molecular markers, we were able to identify 40 locations on the chromosomes which were likely responsible for controlling16 monoterpenes. Further investigation found a gene, named as VvbZIP61, which appeared playing a critical role in monoterpenes biosynthesis and accumulation. This work advanced our understanding of genetic control of monoterpene biosynthesis in grapes and provided important information for selection of aroma compounds in grape breeding.

Technical Abstract: Muscat flavor in grape is an important fruit quality attribute and mainly a result of the accumulation of monoterpenes in grape berries. In this study, a mapping population was developed from a cross between a non-flavored cv. ‘Beifeng’ (a hybrid between Vitis thunbergii and V. vinifera) and a muscat-flavored elite line ‘3-34’ (V. vinifera) and evaluated for the content and composition of monoterpenes in the berries of the progeny lines over 3 years using high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A high-density linkage map spanning 1712.2 cM in genetic length assigned to 19 linkage groups was constructed using 3,413 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. Forty QTLs associated with the content of 16 monoterpenes were identified. Through integrating both QTL and expression correlation analyses, nine candidate genes, including VvbZIP61, involved in monoterpene metabolism were identified. Overexpression of VvbZIP61 in V. amurensis callus through agrobacterium-mediated transformation significantly increased several key monoterpenes compounds, including nerol, linalool, geranial, geraniol, beta-myrcene, D-limonene, and caryophyllene. Our study suggested a positive role of VvbZIP61 in increasing muscat flavor and provided a useful molecular marker for marker-assisted selection of Muscat flavor in grape breeding.