Recently, the researchers from Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute used the technology of combining genomics and molecular biology to assemble the genes of the blood-flesh peach variety, ‘Tian Jin Shui Mi’ (TJSM), discovered the key genes and genetic variation mechanisms of blood-flesh peach, and clarified the characteristics and maturity of blood-flesh peach. The molecular mechanism of synergistic variation during this period laid the foundation for diversified blood-flesh peach breeding. The results were published in  Horticulture Research .

The assembled the genome of a blood-fleshed peach Chinese landrace TJSM and found that the genome size of TJSM was 243.5Mb, compared with the reported peach genomes, the TJSM genome had the largest number of specific structural variants (SVs) and long terminal repeat-retrotransposons (LTR-RTs). A transposon blood TE was found in the promoter of the major blood-flesh gene  PpBL , which is a key mutation in the formation of blood-flesh. The blood TE was not only co-separated with the blood-flesh phenotype but also associated with different intensities of blood-flesh color formation. In addition, the blood TE also associated with fruit maturity date advancement, for example, varieties with a key genotype for late maturation show a mid-ripening phenotype, while most varieties with a key genotype for mid-ripening show early maturation, revealing the cooperative variation mechanism between peach blood-flesh color and maturity period.

By Li Yong

liyong02@caas.cn