Integrative Analysis of Metabolome and Transcriptome Reveals Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Oil and Protein Content in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L)

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is
an important source of edible vegetable oils and plant proteins globally.
However, the complex mechanisms regulating the oil and protein contents
of peanut seeds remain unclear. Here, comparative broad-target metabolomics
and quantitative lipidomics, together with transcriptome analysis,
of peanut seeds at four developmental stages from the high-oil content
variety “YH15” and high-protein content variety “KB008”
were performed to search for oil and protein content control genes.
A total of 984 differential metabolites, including 128 amino acids
and derivatives and 310 differentially accumulated lipids, were identified
between “YH15” and “KB008” in four seed
developmental stages. The weighted gene coexpression network analysis
and module–trait relationship analysis revealed that MEbrown,
MEyellow, and MEturquoise modules were key contributors to the quality
discrepancies observed between “YH15” and “KB008.”
Crucial genes potentially regulating the differences in oil and protein
contents between “YH15” and “KB008” were
identified within the aforementioned three modules, including genes
involved in amino acid synthesis and degradation, nitrogen allocation,
triglyceride synthesis and degradation, and fatty acid synthesis and
degradation, as well as transcription factors. Overall, this study
provides valuable insights into the molecular regulation of oil and
protein contents in peanut seeds and may help cultivate specialized
peanut varieties with enhanced nutritional and economic values.

花生（Arachis hypogaea L.）是全球重要的食用植物油与植物蛋白来源。然而，调控花生种子油脂与蛋白含量的复杂分子机制目前仍未阐明。本研究以高含油品种"YH15"与高蛋白品种"KB008"四个发育阶段的花生种子为材料，开展比较性广谱靶向代谢组学、定量脂质组学联合转录组分析，以期筛选调控种子油脂与蛋白含量的关键基因。在四个种子发育阶段中，"YH15"与"KB008"间共鉴定得到984种差异代谢物，其中包含128种氨基酸及其衍生物，以及310种差异积累脂质。通过加权基因共表达网络分析与模块-性状关联分析，发现MEbrown、MEyellow及MEturquoise模块是导致"YH15"与"KB008"品质差异的核心模块。在上述三个模块中，筛选得到了潜在调控两品种油脂与蛋白含量差异的关键基因，包括参与氨基酸合成与降解、氮分配、甘油三酯合成与降解、脂肪酸合成与降解的基因，以及转录因子。综上，本研究为解析花生种子油脂与蛋白含量的分子调控机制提供了宝贵见解，也可为培育兼具更高营养与经济价值的专用花生品种提供理论支撑。