Comparative transcriptomics of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivars provided insight of biochemical pathways involved in flavor and color

Abstract

Mango is an important fruit crop of many tropical and subtropical regions. Here, we presented a comparative transcriptome analysis of four mango cultivars i.e. cv. Langra, cv. Zill, cv. Shelly and cv. Kent from Pakistan, China, Israel, and Mexico respectively. De-novo sequence assembly generated 30,953-85,036 unigenes from RNA-Seq datasets of mango cultivars. KEGG pathway mapping of mango unigenes identified terpenoids, flavonoids, and carotenoids biosynthetic pathways involved in flavor and color. The analysis revealed linalool as a major monoterpenoid found in all cultivars studied whereas, monoterpene α-terpineol was specifically found in cv. Shelly. Diterpene gibberellin biosynthesis pathway was found in all cultivars and homoterpene synthase involved in the biosynthesis of 4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene (TMTT; an insect induced diterpene) was found in cv. Kent. Among sesquiterpenes and triterpenes, the biosynthetic pathway of Germacrene-D, an anti-bacterial and anti-insecticidal metabolite was found in cv. Zill and cv. Shelly. Two bioactive triterpenes, lupeol and β-amyrin were found in cv. Langra and cv. Zill. Unigenes involved in the biosynthesis of carotenoids β-carotene and lycopene were found in cultivars studied. Comparative transcriptomics revealed naringenin (an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant metabolite) as a ‘central’ flavanone responsible for the biosynthesis of an array of flavonoids. The present study provided insights on genes involved in the flavor and color of mango.