Transcriptomic profiling of stable male production system in hexaploid persimmon

The sexuality in diploid persimmon is controlled by the Y chromosome-encoded small-RNA gene, OGI, and its autosomal counterpart, MeGI. On the other hand, hexaploid Oriental persimmon has evolved more flexible sex expression, where genetically male individuals carrying OGI, can produce both male and female flowers in a tree. This is due to (semi-)inactivation of OGI by the Kali-SINE retrotransposon insertion on the promoter region and the resultant DNA methylations. We focused on a cultivar, Kumemaru, which shows stable male flower production. To assess this molecular mechanism, we have sequenced transcriptomic data from flower buds in cv. Kumemaru and other 14 predominantly female-producing cultivars.