Liquid-phase sequence capture and targeted re-sequencing revealed novel polymorphisms in tomato genes belonging to the MEP carotenoid pathway

Sci Rep. 2017 Jul 17;7(1):5616. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-06120-3.

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants are characterized by having a variety of fruit colours that reflect the composition and accumulation of diverse carotenoids in the berries. Carotenoids are extensively studied for their health-promoting effects and this explains the great attention these pigments received by breeders and researchers worldwide. In this work we applied Agilent's SureSelect liquid-phase sequence capture and Illumina targeted re-sequencing of 34 tomato genes belonging to the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) carotenoid pathway on a panel of 48 genotypes which differ for carotenoid content calculated as the sum of β-carotene, cis- and trans-lycopene. We targeted 230 kb of genomic regions including all exons and regulatory regions and observed ~40% of on-target capture. We found ample genetic variation among all the genotypes under study and generated an extensive catalog of SNPs/InDels located in both genic and regulatory regions. SNPs/InDels were also classified based on genomic location and putative biological effect. With our work we contributed to the identification of allelic variations possibly underpinning a key agronomic trait in tomato. Results from this study can be exploited for the promotion of novel studies on tomato bio-fortification as well as of breeding programs related to carotenoid accumulation in fruits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carotenoids / biosynthesis*
  • Exons
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genotype
  • INDEL Mutation
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods*
  • Solanum lycopersicum / genetics*

Substances

  • Plant Proteins
  • Carotenoids