Transcriptome sequencing of black goji berry

Lycium ruthenicum Murray (black goji berry) is an important economic crop rich in anthocyanins, but the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying the efficient accumulation of anthocyanins in its fruits are unknown. In this study, we identified differentially expressed circRNAs and lncRNAs in black goji (BS4) and white goji (WS4) by whole-transcriptome sequencing, and analyzed the regulatory networks of the key ncRNAs and their target genes by combining targeted phytohormone metabolomics with molecular docking technology. We found that circRNA plantcirc_001165 synergistically up-regulated the flavonoid biosynthesis gene LrHCT with lncRNA MSTRG.28703 to promote anthocyanin accumulation, and that MSTRG.28703 repressed LrZOX1 expression, leading to the accumulation of active zeatin. Molecular docking confirmed strong interactions between these enzymes and related ligands, and network pharmacology further predicted potential targets of Petanin, a major anthocyanin component, against oxidative stress and inflammation-related pathways in Alzheimer's disease and inflammatory bowel disease. The present study systematically revealed the ncRNA-mediated synergistic regulatory network of anthocyanin and zeatin metabolism in black goji which provides a new perspective for analyzing the mechanism of its fruit coloration and the application of anthocyanins bioactivities.