Dynamic identification of candidate genes associated with tocopherol biosynthesis in Brassica napus seeds

This study investigates the regulatory mechanisms of vitamin E biosynthesis in rapeseed(Brassica napus L.) during seed development.By comparing high-vitamin E(YH) and low-vitamin E(YL)germplasms across developmental stages (15-50 days after flowering, DAF),transcriptome analyses revealed that sustained vitamin E biosynthesis in YH during late maturation (45-50 DAF) drives higher accumulation.Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) identified four key regulatory modules and seven hub genes associated with chlorophyII catabolism and vitamin E biosynthesis.Bulk segregant analysis (BSA-seq) further pinpointed two loci(A03 and C08 chromosomes) and five candidate genes(e.g.,BnA03g0107720)as critical regulators.These insights advance the understanding of vitamin E regulation in oilseed crops and provide genetic targets for enhancing rapeseed nutritional quality through biofortification strategies.