Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses of Glucosinolate Biosynthesis-Related Genes in Different Organs of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica)

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) is a globally popular vegetable because of its nutrient richness, especially its glucosinolates (GSLs). The content of GSLs in different organs of broccoli varies greatly. However, few studies have focused on the differences in the GSLs biosynthesis-related genes in different organs. In this study, we selected extreme individuals from an F-2 population of broccoli and mixed them to form low and high glucoraphanin content pools of leaf, stalk and floret, respectively. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses showed that 539, 755 and 617 genes are significantly differentially expressed, and 44, 66 and 118 metabolites are significantly differentially accumulated in leaf, stalk and floret comparison groups, respectively. The combined analysis revealed that some genes such as Bo5g113720, Bo2g161100 and Bo7g09800, Bo4g018590, Bo5g021810, and Bo2g011730 showed different expression trends between low and high glucoraphanin content pools, which increased the accumulation of glucoraphanin. These genes have different expression levels in the three plant parts. Strikingly, the accumulation of glucoraphanin upregulated the expression of plant hormone signal transduction-related genes TIFY, JAR1, IAA, GH3 and SAU, and also increased the levels of tentatively identified flavonoid metabolites. Our study deepens the understanding of glucosinolate biosynthesis in different organs at the molecular level, and also provides evidence for the crosstalk between glucosinolates and flavonoids biosynthesis pathways.

Automated summary

In this study, extreme individuals from a broccoli F-2 population were selected and grouped into low and high glucoraphanin content pools of leaf, stalk, and floret. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed significant differences in the expression of genes and accumulation of metabolites in the three plant parts. Certain genes showed different expression trends between low and high glucoraphanin content pools, and the accumulation of glucoraphanin upregulated the expression of plant hormone signal transduction-related genes and increased the levels of flavonoid metabolites. This study provides insights into glucosinolate biosynthesis in different organs and highlights the crosstalk between glucosinolates and flavonoids biosynthesis pathways.