Accumulation and regulation of anthocyanins in white and purple Tibetan Hulless Barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.) revealed by combined de novo transcriptomics and metabolomics

• DOI: 10.1186/s12870-022-03699-2
• Publication Date: 2022-08-04T02:02:26Z
• Authors: Xiaohua Yao; Youhua Yao; Likun An; Xin Li; Yixiong Bai; Yongmei Cui; Kunlun Wu
• Keywords: White (mutation); Hook; Hordeum

Colored barley, which may have associated human health benefits, is more desirable than the standard white variety, but metabolites and molecular mechanisms underlying seedcoat coloration remain unclear.Here, development of Tibetan hulless barley was monitored, 18 biological samples at 3 color developmental stages were analyzed by transcriptomic metabolic assays in Nierumuzha (purple) Kunlun10 (white). A total 41 anthocyanin compounds 4186 DEGs identified. Then we constructed proanthocyanin-anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway including 19 genes encoding structural enzymes 12 classes (PAL, C4H, 4CL, CHS, CHI, F3H, F3'H, DFR, ANS, ANR, GT, ACT). 11 other ANR significantly upregulated as compared to Kunlun10, leading high levels 15 this variety (more 25 times greater contents Kunlun10). Nierumuzha, resulting higher three anthocyanins 5 Nierumuzha). In addition, 22 TFs, MYBs, bHLHs, NACs, bZips, WD40s, positively or negatively correlated with expression patterns genes. Moreover, comparisons homologous gene sequences between two varieties identified 61 putative SNPs 13 nonsense mutation coding sequence ANS Kunlun10. This might encode a nonfunctional protein, further reducing accumulation modules highly specific using WGCNA. appeared both protein co-expression network obtained verified.Our study barley. series compounds, TFs responsible for differences purple pathway. Our improves understanding seeds. It provides new targets genetic improvement content framework improving nutritional quality