Next generation sequencing reveals the potential functions of the genes involved in controlling several important commercial traits in peach (Prunus persica (L). Batsch) fruits

Next-generation sequencing techniques provide a new insight into the genetic bases of the most important commercial traits in fruit trees. The genomic deep sequencing results of peach cultivar ‘Xiaobaitao’ and its bud variation type ‘Jinliuzaohong’ are reported here. The numbers of detected Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in wild type and in mutant were 591,485 and 593,484, with that of InDel as 113,934 and 115,065, respectively. Interestingly, the numbers of SNPs and InDels that differentiate ‘Jinliuzaohong’ from ‘Xiaobaitao’ were 50,217 and 19,368, respectively. The number of genes with non-synonymous mutation was 887, which involved in 109 pathways. The authors found dozens of genes involved in the important commercial traits of peach fruit which are of variations in Coding sequence (CDS) regions, including 3 NAC family genes, i.e. NAC66, NAC68, and NAC78. The relevant commercial traits of peach fruit include colour coverage, maturity date, fruit size, and sugar content. A phylogenetic tree of homological NAC proteins indicated relationship among the species. Genome sequence data suggested that a series of genes and several genetic pathways were likely involved in the formation of the important traits in peach fruits. The findings provide new evidence for the functions of the candidate genes controlling peach fruit traits which were proposed previously by researchers using QTL analysis.