Team name

Peanut Functional Genomics

  

Team leader

Dr. Xiaoqin Liu

 

Welcome to our laboratory! Established in 2021, our lab currently consists of 20 dedicated members. Our primary objective is to explore the vast resources of peanut germplasm and develop new peanut varieties that exhibit high yield and exceptional quality. Our research encompasses several key areas:

·       Comprehensive exploration of natural populations, genetic populations, and mutagenic populations as research subjects. To identify and validate key genes/QTLS that govern crucial agronomic traits in peanuts, we employ multi-omics methods.

·       Investigation into the genetic regulation of pod development through the manipulation of light signals and soil mechanical stimulation.

·       Exploration of the involvement of plant hormones in governing the intricate signal networks associated with fruit pin geotropism and pod enlargement.

·       In-depth analysis of the molecular mechanism underlying nitrogen fixation, nutrient absorption, and utilization in peanut root nodules.

·       Utilization of a synergistic approach that combines conventional breeding techniques with molecular design breeding to develop novel peanut varieties with high yield, superior quality, and enhanced resistance.

 

By focusing on these research areas, we strive to propel advancements in peanut cultivation, contributing to increased productivity and the availability of superior peanut varieties to benefit farmers and consumers alike.

Teammembers

 

Wei Wang, PhD

Postdoctor

“Studying the functional genes discovery of peanut pod development”

 

Yuanyuan Cui,PhD

Assistant researcher

“Mapping and functional analysis of keygenes in peanuts”

 

Junrui Fu,PhD

Assistant researcher

“Interactions between plant and microbiome”

 

Research Objectives

 

With the growing demand for peanuts in both domestic and international markets, enhancing peanut varieties and promoting the peanut industry hold immense strategic importance in ensuring the safety of plant edible oils in China. Our research endeavors will utilize cutting-edge omics techniques, including whole genome resequencing, transcriptome sequencing, and whole genome association analysis. By integrating these methods with map-based cloning and molecular biology approaches, we aim to identify, clone, and validate the functionality of pivotal genes controlling crucial agronomic traits in peanuts. Through these efforts, we aspire to foster innovation in peanut germplasm resources and develop novel varieties that exhibit high yield and quality.

 

Research Achievements

l Title: Genome-wide analysis of PIN genes in cultivated peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.): identification, subcellular localization, evolution, and expression patterns

This study details a comprehensive analysis of PIN genes in cultivated peanuts with16 PIN genes identified, and AhPIN2A and AhPIN2B exhibited predominant expression in roots. AhPIN1A-1 and AhPIN1B-1 displayed significantupregulation following peg penetration. Notably, AhABCB19 exhibited a co-expression relationship with AhPIN1A and AhPIN1B-1, with all three genes displaying higher expression levels in peanut pegs and pods.   These findings reinforce their potential role in peanut pod development.

 

l Title:Genome-wide analysis and expression profiles of ethylene signal genes and Apetala2/ethylene-responsive factors in eanut (Arachis hypogaea L.).

In this study, we identified some genes related to ethylene signal of peanut, including 10 ethylene sensors, two constitutive triple responses (CTRs), four ethylene insensitive 2 (EIN2s), four ethylene insensitive 3 (EIN3s), six EIN3-binding F-box proteins (EBFs), and 188 Apetala2/ethylene-responsive factors (AP2/ERFs). Our transcriptome results showed that two EIN3s (Arahy. J729H0 and Arahy.S7XF8N) and one EBFs (Arahy.G4JMEM) were highly expressed when mechanical stress increased. Mechanical stress simulation experiment showed that three AhAP2/ERFs (Arahy. QGFJ76, Arahy. AS0C7C, and Arahy.HGAZ7D) were sensitive to mechanical stress changes and they all had the conservative repressor motif (DLNXXP) in the C-terminus, indicated that they might transmit mechanical stress signals through transcriptional inhibition. 

 

l Title: Analysis of the transcriptional dynamics of regulatory genes during peanut pod development caused by darkness and mechanical stress

In this study, we investigated changes in gene expression during the reverse process of peg penetration: developmental arrest caused by pod (Pattee 3 pods) excavation. After the loss of mechanical stress and darkness, the DEGs were significantly enriched in photosynthesis, photosynthesis–antennaproteins, plant–pathogen interaction, DNA replication, and circadian rhythm pathways. Based on a large number of chloroplast-related genes, calmodulin, kinases, and ubiquitin-related proteins identified in this study, we propose two possible signal transduction pathways involved in peanut geocarpy, namely, one begins in chloroplasts and signals down through phosphorylation, and the other begins during abiotic stress and signals down through calcium signaling, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination.

 

Patents

Liu Xiaoqin, Cui Yuanyuan, ZhangXingping, DengXingwang.Peanut Promoters and theApplications，ZL 202210193478.5.China.