Articles
Transcriptomic analysis of RAN1 reveals genotype- and season-dependent regulation of flowering in fig (Ficus carica L.)
Article number
1464_33
Pages
247 – 252
Language
English
Abstract
Fig (F. carica L.) is a fruit tree of high agronomic relevance, widely cultivated in the Mediterranean region.
Despite its importance, the molecular mechanisms underlying key developmental processes such as flowering are still not fully elucidated.
To investigate the transcriptional dynamics involved in flowering pathways and their regulatory mechanisms, we performed RNA-sequencing on three fig genotypes (‘Dottato’, ‘Petrelli’, and ‘Caprifig’), collected at two phenological stages (April and July). Differential expression analysis revealed dynamic and genotype-specific transcriptional changes across developmental stages.
Among the identified regulators, RAN1 (Responsive to ANtagonist1), known to play a role in sex determination and floral organ identity, exhibited distinct expression profiles in genotypes and seasons.
Notably, RAN1 was significantly downregulated in Caprifig (a male genotype) during July, suggesting a possible seasonal repression of floral identity pathways or a genotype-specific regulation linked to reproductive development.
These findings indicate that RAN1 may act as a key component in the transcriptional network controlling fig flowering and sexual differentiation.
The observed temporal and genotype-dependent expression patterns provide new insights into the molecular basis of fig floral biology and offer valuable information for breeding programs aimed at improving reproductive traits, flowering time, and cultivar adaptation.
Despite its importance, the molecular mechanisms underlying key developmental processes such as flowering are still not fully elucidated.
To investigate the transcriptional dynamics involved in flowering pathways and their regulatory mechanisms, we performed RNA-sequencing on three fig genotypes (‘Dottato’, ‘Petrelli’, and ‘Caprifig’), collected at two phenological stages (April and July). Differential expression analysis revealed dynamic and genotype-specific transcriptional changes across developmental stages.
Among the identified regulators, RAN1 (Responsive to ANtagonist1), known to play a role in sex determination and floral organ identity, exhibited distinct expression profiles in genotypes and seasons.
Notably, RAN1 was significantly downregulated in Caprifig (a male genotype) during July, suggesting a possible seasonal repression of floral identity pathways or a genotype-specific regulation linked to reproductive development.
These findings indicate that RAN1 may act as a key component in the transcriptional network controlling fig flowering and sexual differentiation.
The observed temporal and genotype-dependent expression patterns provide new insights into the molecular basis of fig floral biology and offer valuable information for breeding programs aimed at improving reproductive traits, flowering time, and cultivar adaptation.
Authors
P. Colasuonno, I. Marcotuli, S.L. Giove, A. Gadaleta, A. Mazzeo, G. Ferrara
Keywords
‘Caprifig’, flowering regulation, sex determination, RNA-seq
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