To understand the gene expression networks controlling flower color formation in alfalfa, flowers anthocyanins were identified using two materials with contrasting flower colors, namely Defu and Zhongtian No. 3, and transcriptome analyses of PacBio full-length sequencing combined with RNA sequencing were performed, across four flower developmental stages. Malvidin and petunidin glycoside derivatives were the major anthocyanins in the flowers of Defu, which were lacking in the flowers of Zhongtian No. 3. The two transcriptomic datasets provided a comprehensive and systems-level view on the dynamic gene expression networks underpinning alfalfa flower color formation. By weighted gene coexpression network analyses, we identified candidate genes and hub genes from the modules closely related to floral developmental stages. PAL, 4CL, CHS, CHR, F3’H, DFR, and UFGT were enriched in the important modules. Additionally, PAL6, PAL9, 4CL18, CHS2, 4 and 8 were identified as hub genes. Thus, a hypothesis explaining the lack of purple color in the flower of Zhongtian No. 3 was proposed. These analyses identified a large number of potential key regulators controlling flower color pigmentation, thereby providing new insights into the molecular networks underlying alfalfa flower development.

中文翻译：

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利用 RNA 测序分析鉴定控制苜蓿花色素变化的调控网络和中枢基因


为了了解苜蓿中控制花色形成的基因表达网络，使用德福和中天3号这两种具有对比花色的材料鉴定了花花青素，并进行了PacBio全长测序结合RNA测序的转录组分析。花的四个发育阶段。锦葵素和矮牵牛苷糖苷衍生物是德福花中的主要花色苷，而中天三号花中缺乏这些花色苷。这两个转录组数据集为紫花苜蓿花色形成的动态基因表达网络提供了全面的系统水平视图。 。通过加权基因共表达网络分析，我们从与花发育阶段密切相关的模块中识别出候选基因和枢纽基因。重要模块中丰富了PAL、4CL、CHS、CHR、F3'H、DFR、UFGT。此外，PAL6、PAL9、4CL18、CHS2、4 和 8 被确定为枢纽基因。因此，提出了解释中天3号花缺乏紫色的假说。这些分析确定了控制花色色素沉着的大量潜在关键调节因子，从而为苜蓿花发育的分子网络提供了新的见解。