DataSheet_11_Transcriptomic analysis of mesocarp tissue during fruit development of the oil palm revealed specific isozymes related to starch metabolism that control oil yield.pdf

The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) produces a large amount of oil from the fruit. However, increasing the oil production in this fruit is still challenging. A recent study has shown that starch metabolism is essential for oil synthesis in fruit-producing species. Therefore, the transcriptomic analysis by RNA-seq was performed to observe gene expression alteration related to starch metabolism genes throughout the maturity stages of oil palm fruit with different oil yields. Gene expression profiles were examined with three different oil yields group (low, medium, and high) at six fruit development phases (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 22 weeks after pollination). We successfully identified and analyzed differentially expressed genes in oil palm mesocarps during development. The results showed that the transcriptome profile for each developmental phase was unique. Sucrose flux to the mesocarp tissue, rapid starch turnover, and high glycolytic activity have been identified as critical factors for oil production in oil palms. For starch metabolism and the glycolytic pathway, we identified specific gene expressions of enzyme isoforms (isozymes) that correlated with oil production, which may determine the oil content. This study provides valuable information for creating new high-oil-yielding palm varieties via breeding programs or genome editing approaches.

油棕（Elaeis guineensis Jacq.）的果实可产出大量油脂。然而，提升该果实的油脂产量仍面临诸多挑战。近期研究表明，淀粉代谢对于产油物种的油脂合成至关重要。为此，本研究通过RNA测序（RNA-seq）开展转录组分析，以观测不同油脂产量的油棕果实发育成熟全过程中，与淀粉代谢相关基因的表达变化。本研究设置三个油脂产量梯度组（低产、中产、高产），在授粉后4、8、12、16、20及22周共6个果实发育阶段对基因表达谱进行检测。我们成功鉴定并分析了油棕中果皮发育过程中的差异表达基因。结果显示，每个发育阶段的转录组谱均具有独特性。向中果皮组织的蔗糖转运、快速淀粉周转以及较高的糖酵解活性，已被确定为影响油棕油脂产量的关键因素。针对淀粉代谢与糖酵解通路，我们鉴定出与油脂产量相关的特定酶同工型（同工酶）基因表达模式，这些模式或可决定油脂含量。本研究为通过育种计划或基因组编辑技术培育高产油棕新品种提供了重要参考依据。