Comparative transcriptomic profile of two mandarins (Clementine and Fremont) reveals pectinases regulating peelability

Peelability is an important fruit quality trait of citrus. Here two mandarin varieties (Citrus reticulata Blanco, Clementine and Fremont) with similar maturation period but distinct peelability were used as materials to study the molecular regulation for citrus peelability. Clementine was an easy-peeling mandarin compared with Fremont, and both both increased in peelability during maturation. Through RNA sequencing for totally 36 samples, i.e., 2 varieties of mandarin, 3 maturation stages, 2 tissues (albedo and flavedo) and 3 biological replicates. The RNA sequencing data profiled the transcriptome of abledo and flavedo of the two mandarin varieties during fruit maturation, and indicated the potential regulators for peelability. Genes encoding pectinase were highlighted in this study.