In order to provide molecular biological basis for breeding of excellent seedless varieties of Siraitia grosvenorii,the genetic background of 28 female triploid and male diploid individuals of S. grosvenorii was analyzed by using RAPD molecular markers. The results showed that female triploid and male diploid individuals of S. grosvenorii had abundant genetic background,with great genetic similarity coefficients and close genetic distance. Overall,the genetic background of female triploid and male diploid individuals of S. grosvenorii exhibited relatively low complexity. Therefore,it is necessary to take corresponding measures for germplasm innovation to enrich the genetic background of seedless parents of S. grosvenorii.
Mogrosides and steroid saponins are tetracyclic triterpenoids found in Siraitia grosvenorii.Squalene synthase(SQS) and cycloartenol synthase(CAS) are key enzymes in triterpenoid and steroid biosynthesis.In this study,full-length cDNAs of SgSQS and SgCAS were cloned by a rapid amplification of cDNA-ends with polymerase chain reaction(RACE-PCR) approach.The SgSQS cDNA has a 1254 bp open reading frame(ORF) encoding 417 amino acids,and the SgCAS cDNA contains a 2298 bp ORF encoding 765 amino acids.Bioinformatic analysis showed that the deduced SgSQS protein has two transmembrane regions in the C-terminal.Both SgSQS and SgCAS have significantly higher levels in fruits than in other tissues,suggesting that steroids and mogrosides are competitors for the same precursors in fruits.Combined in silico prediction and subcellular localization,experiments in tobacco indicated that SgSQS was probably in the cytoplasm or on the cytoskeleton,and SgCAS was likely located in the nucleus or cytosol.These results will provide a foundation for further study of SgSQS and SgCAS gene functions in S.grosvenorii,and may facilitate improvements in mogroside content in fruit by regulating gene expression.
Huan ZhaoQi TangChangming MoLonghua BaiDongping TuXiaojun Ma
