Search Results (155)

Barley leaf stripe, caused by Pyrenophora graminea (Pg), significantly reduces yields across various regions globally. Understanding the resistance mechanisms of barley to Pg is crucial for advancing disease resistance breeding efforts. In this study, two barley genotypes—highly susceptible Alexis and immune Ganpi2—were inoculated with the highly pathogenic Pg isolate QWC for 7, 14, and 18 days. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Alexis was 1350, 1898, and 2055 at 7, 14, and 18 days, respectively, while Ganpi2 exhibited 1195, 1682, and 2225 DEGs at the same time points. Gene expression pattern analysis revealed that Alexis responded more slowly to Pg infection compared to Ganpi2. A comparative analysis identified 457 DEGs associated with Ganpi2’s immunity to Pg. Functional enrichment of these DEGs highlighted the involvement of genes related to plant-pathogen interactions and kinase activity in Pg immunity. Additionally, 20 resistance genes and 24 transcription factor genes were predicted from the 457 DEGs. Twelve candidate genes were selected for qRT-PCR verification, and the results showed that the transcriptomic data was reliable. We conducted cloning of the candidate Pg resistance gene HvLRR_8-1 by the barley cultivar Ganpi2, and the sequence analysis confirmed that the HvLRR_8-1 gene contains seven leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains and an S_TKc domain. Subcellular localization in tobacco indicates that the HvLRR_8-1 is localized on the cell membrane. Through the functional analysis using virus-induced gene silencing, it was demonstrated that HvLRR_8-1 plays a critical role in regulating barley resistance to Pg. This study represents the first comparative transcriptome analysis of barley varieties with differing responses to Pg infection, providing that HvLRR_8-1 represents a promising candidate gene for improving durable resistance against Pg in cultivated barley. Full article

Fe deficiency in apple trees can lead to leaf chlorosis and impede root development, resulting in significant alterations in signaling, metabolism, and genetic functions, which severely restricts fruit yield and quality. It is well established that WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are of vital significance in mediating plant responses to abiotic stress. Real-time quantitative fluorescence (RT-qPCR) analysis displayed that Fe deficiency stress can significantly induce WRKY69 TF gene expression. However, the potential mechanisms by which the WRKY69 gene involved in Fe deficiency stress remains to be investigated. To address this limitations, the WRKY69 gene (MD09G1235100) was successfully isolated from apple rootstock Malus halliana and performed both homologous and heterologous expression analyses in apple calli and tobacco to elucidate its functional role in response to Fe deficiency stress. The findings indicated that transgenic tobacco plants exhibited enhanced growth vigor and reduced chlorosis when subjected to Fe deficiency stress compared to the wild type (WT). Additionally, the apple calli that were overexpressed WRKY69 also exhibited superior growth and quality. Furthermore, the overexpression of the WRKY69 gene enhanced the ability of tobacco to Fe deficiency stress tolerance by stimulating the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, increasing antioxidant enzyme activity, and facilitating Fe reduction. Additionally, it increased the resistance of apple calli to Fe deficiency stress by enhancing Fe reduction and elevating the activity of antioxidant enzymes. For example, under Fe deficiency stress, the proline (Pro) contents of the overexpression lines (OE-2, OE-5, OE-6) were 26.18 mg·g⁻¹, 26.13 mg·g⁻¹, and 26.27 mg·g⁻¹, respectively, which were 16.98%, 16.76%, and 17.38% higher than the proline content of 22.38 mg·g⁻¹ in the wild-type lines, respectively. To summarize, a functional analysis of tobacco plants and apple calli displayed that WRKY69 TF serves as a positive regulator under Fe deficiency stress, which provides candidate genetic resources for cultivating apple rootstocks or varieties with strong stress (Fe deficiency) resistance. Full article

The term ‘vaping’ refers to the use of electronic cigarettes or other devices to inhale a variety of heated and aerosolized substances. Vaping has been promoted as a less harmful and potentially oncogenic alternative to nicotine cigarettes, particularly to help heavy smokers quit. While vaping products do not produce the same carcinogenic substances—such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons—generated by the combustion of tobacco, and while their fluids lack tobacco-related carcinogens like nitrosamines, it is now well established that they still generate harmful and potentially oncogenic byproducts. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the potential oncogenic effects of vaping fluids, including direct chemical action, epithelial–mesenchymal transition induction, redox stress, mitochondrial toxicity, and DNA damage. In addition to cancer risk, there have been reports of adverse effects on cardiovascular health, reproductive function, and non-oncologic lung injuries. These include exogenous lipoid pneumonia, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage with proven alveolar injury, and vaping-associated bronchiolitis obliterans. The aim of this review is to examine vaping devices, their potential role in lung carcinogenesis, vaping-associated lung injury, and other clinical implications, including impacts on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory diseases, and also pregnancy and fetus health. Full article

The prevalence of e-cigarette use (vaping) in young adults is concerning, particularly because the initiation of combustible tobacco use is higher in e-cigarette vapers. It is unclear why young, never-smoker vapers decide to start smoking cigarettes, but they may be influenced by perceptions of health risks and accessibility. We designed a social media questionnaire to assess factors driving the initiation of combustible tobacco use by e-cigarette vapers (multi-inhalant use) and switches between inhalant types. Respondents reported an earlier initiation of combustible tobacco versus vaping (18 vs. 19, respectively, p < 0.0001), greater ease of obtaining combustibles versus vaping products (p < 0.01), and pleasure of vaping being equivalent to that of smoking. The majority of subjects (57%) reported smoking first prior to adding vaping devices, 32% reported initiating both smoking and vaping within 12 months of one another, and 11% reported initiating vaping first. Among respondents (n = 864) who switched from vaping to smoking (n = 104), the primary reasons included 1. the perception that smoking was healthier (44%) and 2. greater accessibility of cigarettes (40%). For those who switched from smoking to vaping (n = 178), the predominant motivations included 1. having friends or family who vape (40%) and 2. the perception that vaping was healthier (36%). Among multi-inhalant users (n = 223), key factors driving this behavior included 1. increased enjoyment (47%) and 2. greater variety (42%). Our findings imply that there is no single, dominant reason driving the initiation of combustible use or switching from one inhalant to another. Further, tobacco users are receiving mixed messaging, leading many to believe that combustible tobacco is the healthier option. Public health interventions are needed to prevent the initiation of e-cigarette vaping by youth and to educate the public about the health effects of tobacco products. Full article

Panax ginseng plants are susceptible to high temperatures and intense sunlight, necessitating cultivation under artificially shaded structures. Identifying the genes associated with heat resistance is critical for advancing molecular breeding strategies to develop heat-tolerant ginseng varieties. Heat-shock transcription factors (HSFs) are widely recognized as key regulators of plant responses to abiotic stresses, primarily by controlling heat-shock proteins (HSPs). To identify HSF genes in P. ginseng, transcriptome analysis was conducted on ginseng plants subjected to heat-shock treatment (1 h at 40 °C). Among the 26 HSF unigenes annotated from the ginseng transcriptome, a unigene related to the HSFA2 family exhibited the highest transcriptional activity following heat-shock treatment. The expression of PgHSFA2, a gene identified from this unigene, was analyzed under temperature and salt-stress conditions in ginseng plants using qPCR. The results showed that PgHSFA2 was highly responsive to various abiotic stresses, including heat, cold, salt, and intense sunlight. To assess the functional role of PgHSFA2, transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing this gene were analyzed. The overexpression of PgHSFA2 led to an elevated expression of heat-shock proteins (HSPs) in tobacco, resulting in enhanced resistance to high temperature and salt stress. Transgenic tobacco plants exhibited significantly less reduction in chlorophyll fluorescence compared to nontransgenic controls when exposed to salt stress (200 and 400 mM NaCl) and high-temperature stress (42 °C), indicating improved stress tolerance. In conclusion, PgHSFA2 is a crucial HSF that regulates the transcriptional control of HSPs in ginseng plants. The constitutive expression of PgHSFA2 in transgenic ginseng could potentially confer improved tolerance to high temperatures, making it a valuable target for molecular breeding. Full article

Background/Objectives: Plants release extracellularly lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles of nanometric size that can be retrieved in their fluids. Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) have mostly been involved in modulating host–pathogen interaction, making them a tool for cross-kingdom communication with a key role in plant immunity. In addition, PDEVs have demonstrated promising therapeutic features, not only in terms of intrinsic nutraceutical properties but also of active molecules’ delivery. Transgenic plants have been developed for a variety of purposes, i.e., to improve their functional properties like crops, but also to produce therapeutic molecules. However, it is unclear whether transgenes can end up in PDEVs, thus making them a vehicle for their cross-kingdom diffusion into the environment. Methods: Here, we investigated the association of transgenic DNA and RNA with PDEVs secreted by tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) engineered to express the neomycine phosphotransferase II (Npt-II) gene. PDEVs were isolated from leaf apoplastic fluid by ultracentrifugation and characterized for their morphology and size. The association of DNA and RNA was assessed by qRT-PCR and their immunomodulatory properties by assaying PDEVs-induced IL1β and IL10 on THP1 monocytes. Results: Npt-II RNA, but not DNA, could be amplified from PDEVs, whereas no differences were observed between wt and transgenic tobacco PDEVs in terms of immunomodulatory properties. Conclusions: Although a different behaviour by other types of RNAs or DNAs could still be possible, our findings indicate that in this model, PDEVs are not associated with transgenic DNA, but they can protect RNA, including transgenic RNA, from degradation, contributing to their cross-kingdom spreading. Full article

In plants, the R2R3-MYB transcription factors are one of the largest MYB gene families. These MYB transcription factors are very important for regulating plant growth and development. RcMYB114, RcbHLH, and RcWD40 promote anthocyanin accumulation by forming the MBW (MYB-bHLH-WD40) complex and determine the rose flower’s color. RcMYB114 genomic sequences differ between the red petal and white varieties. Two non-synonymous substitutions were found in the open reading frame. It leads to a change in amino acids. Here, the anthocyanin content showed that there was no anthocyanin in white petals, while the anthocyanin content in red petals increased firstly at stage 2, decreased slightly at stage 4, and then increased again at stage 5. The spatiotemporal expression pattern analysis showed that RcMYB114 was not expressed in all petals and tissues of white petals at different flower development stages. In red petal varieties, RcMYB114 was highly expressed in petals, followed by styles, and not expressed in stems, young leaves, and stage 1 of flower development. However, RcMYB114 has the highest expression level at the blooming stage. The RcMYB114 sequence contains 9 SNPs in the coding region, 7 of which were synonymous substitutions that had no effect on the translation product and 2 of which were non-synonymous substitutions that resulted in amino acid alteration at positions 116 and 195, respectively. The RcMYB114 gene in red rose was named RcMYB114a, and in white rose was RcMYB114b. RcMYB114c was mutated into leucine via artificial mutation; it was valine at position 116 of RcMYB114a, and Glycine mutated into Arginine at position 195 of RcMYB114a was RcMYB114d. RcMYB114b was the double mutation at positions 116 and 195 of RcMYB114a. The results of yeast two-hybrid experiments showed that RcMYB114a and its missense mutations RcMYB114b, RcMYB114c, and RcMYB114d could both interact with RcbHLH and RcWD40 to form the MYB-bHLH-WD40 complex. A transient transformation experiment in tobacco confirmed that RcMYB114a and its missense mutations RcMYB114b, RcMYB114c, and RcMYB114d could significantly promote the high expression of related structural genes in tobacco, together with the RcbHLH gene, which led to the accumulation of anthocyanins and produced the red color of the leaves. The RcMYB114a gene and its missense mutations RcMYB114b, RcMYB114c, and RcMYB114d interacted with the RcbHLH gene and significantly regulated the accumulation of anthocyanins. The two non-synonymous mutations of RcMYB114 do not affect the function of the gene itself, but the content of the anthocyanins accumulated was different. This study should provide clues and references for further research on the molecular mechanism underlying the determination of rose petal color. Full article

Soybean is crucial to food processing and agricultural output. However, pests and diseases can easily impact soybeans, reducing their production. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a soilborne pathogen that has a large geographic range, a long lifespan, and the potential to inflict substantial harm to the soybean industry. Persistent use of major resistance genes leads to a progressive loss of resistance; therefore, continuous identification of new soybean strains and genes is essential for continued sustainable soybean production. In this research, the SCN-resistant and SCN-sensitive germplasm DN-L10 and Heinong 37 were inoculated with SCN 3. After stress treatment, the stressed roots were collected for RNA-Seq analysis. The sequencing results screened out the differentially expressed gene GmbHLH18. The GmbHLH18 gene was cloned, and the overexpression vector pCAMBIA3300-GmbHLH18 was constructed. Agrobacterium infected soybean hairy roots and genetically modified the roots of DN50 soybeans, and transgenic root seedlings were obtained. The transgenically identified root seedlings were transplanted in soil infested with SCN 3, and resistance to root nematodes was determined by magenta staining. The secondary and tertiary structures of the protein, phosphorylation sites, as well as the hydrophilicity related to the GmbHLH18 gene were analyzed. Subsequently, the recombinant subcellular localization vector pCAMBIA1302-GmbHLH18 was employed. Agrobacterium was injected into tobacco leaves, and organelle-specific expression was observed. Finally, stress resistance-related indexes of the roots of overexpressing plants and WT plants under SCN 3 stress were measured. The results showed that overexpression and subcellular localization vectors were successfully constructed and transformed into Agrobacterium K599 and GV3101, respectively. The encoded protein had 1149 amino acids, a molecular weight of 95.76 kDa, an isoelectric point of 5.04, 60 phosphorylation sites, a tertiary structure of a-helix (36.39%), random coil (53.40%), extended chain (8.64%), and corner (1.57%), and was hydrophilic. The protein that the gene encoded was a nuclear-localized protein, according to the results of subcellular localization analysis. Moreover, the Agrobacterium-induced hairy root test revealed that the number of overexpressed pCAMBIA3300-GmbHLH18 transgenic roots in the unit area of DN50 was substantially lower than in the control group, which at first suggested that the gene had partial resistance to SCN 3. Stress resistance-related indexes suggest that the contents of POD, SOD, and proline in the overexpressing root significantly increase after SCN 3 stress, demonstrating that this gene can enhance the plant’s resistance to the SCN 3 pathogen. Future research could focus on further elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying the gene’s resistance to SCN 3 and exploring its potential application in breeding soybean varieties with enhanced resistance. Full article

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play crucial roles in crop stress tolerance through protection against oxidative damage. In this study, we conducted genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the GST gene family in the autotetraploid potato cultivar Cooperative-88 (C88) using bioinformatic approaches. We identified 366 GST genes in the potato genome, which were classified into 10 subfamilies. Chromosomal mapping revealed that StGSTs were distributed across all 12 chromosomes, with 13 tandem duplication events observed in three subfamilies. Analysis of protein sequences identified 10 conserved motifs, with motif 1 potentially representing the GST domain. Analysis of cis-acting elements in the StGSTs promoter regions suggested their involvement in stress response pathways. RNA-seq analysis revealed that most StGSTs responded to both drought stress and DNA demethylation treatments. Quantitative PCR validation of 16 selected StGSTs identified four members that showed strong responses to both treatments, with distinct expression patterns between drought-tolerant (QS9) and drought-sensitive (ATL) varieties. Transient expression assays in tobacco demonstrated that these four StGSTs enhanced drought tolerance and may be regulated through DNA methylation pathways, though the precise mechanisms require further investigation. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the response and epigenetic regulation of potato GST genes under drought stress. Full article

Lily (Lilium Asiatica Hybrida) is a globally known perennial herbaceous bulbous flower, popular for its large, colourful flowers and high economic and ornamental value. However, pollen generation is a severe issue that reduces the cosmetic value of lilies. In this study, the MADS transcription factor LiAG1 was isolated and identified from the Lilium Asiatica Hybrida ‘Ice Pink Queen’, a male-sterile variety obtained through several years of hybridisation in our laboratory. qRT-PCR revealed that LiAG1 expression was greater in lily anthers, especially during the half-opening stage. The transient expression in tobacco demonstrated that LiAG1 was located in the nucleus. In the ‘Ice Pink Queen’ lily, suppression of LiAG1 using TRV-VIGS (tobacco-rattle-virus-mediated virus-induced gene silencing) resulted in the disappearance of most of the tapetum layer and the absence of the microsporangia. Overexpression of LiAG1 in transgenic Arabidopsis and tobacco resulted in narrower and more involute leaves, plant dwarfing, earlier blooming, and better pollen viability. Overall, our results suggested that LiAG1 might play an important role in flower development, especially anther development, of Lilium Asiatica Hybrida ‘Ice Pink Queen’. Full article

Molybdenum (Mo) is widely used as a micronutrient fertilizer to improve plant growth and soil quality. However, the interactions between cell wall biosynthesis and molybdenum have not been explored sufficiently. This study thoroughly investigated the regulatory effects of different concentrations of Mo on tobacco cell wall biosynthesis from physiological and metabolomic aspects. The results indicate that Mo treatment increased the Mo content of tobacco variety K326. Moreover, it significantly up-regulated the gene expression levels of molybdases (NR, AO, SO, XDH) and molybdate transporters in tobacco, whereby the gene expression levels of NR were upregulated by 28.48%, 52.51%, 173.05%, and 246.21%, respectively; and MOT1 and MOT2 were upregulated by 21.49/8.67%, 66.05/30.44%, 93.05/93.26%, and 166.11/114.29%, respectively. Additionally, Mo treatment regulated the synthesis of related enzymes, effectively promoted plant growth, and significantly increased biomass and dry matter accumulation, with the biomass in the leaves increasing significantly by 30.73%, 40.72%, 46.34%, and 12.88%, respectively. The FT-NIR spectroscopy results indicate that after Mo was applied to the soil, the quantity of C-O-C, -COOH, C-H, and N-H functional groups increased. Concurrently, the contents of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, protopectin, and soluble pectin in the leaves significantly increased, wherein the content of soluble pectin and hemicellulose increased significantly by 31.01/288.82%, 40.69/343.43%, 69.93/241.73%, and 196.88/223.26%, respectively. Furthermore, the cell walls thickened, increasing the ability of the plant to withstand disturbances. The metabolic network diagrams indicate that Mo regulated galactose metabolism, and arginine and proline acid biosynthesis. The contents of carbohydrates, spermidine, proline, quinic acid, IAA, flavonoids, and other substances were increased, increasing the levels of polysaccharides and pectin within the cell wall, controlling lignin production, and successfully enhancing resistance to abiotic stress. These results offer important perspectives for further investigations into the role of trace elements. Full article

Raspberry is a berry whose fruit is not tolerant to storage; breeding varieties with extended storage time and high comprehensive quality are significant for raspberries in cold regions. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase (ACS) is a limiting enzyme in the ethylene synthesis process, which plays essential roles in fruit ripening and softening in plants. In this study, the RiACS1 gene in raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) variety ‘Polka’ was cloned. The RiACS1 gene overexpression vector was constructed and transformed into tomato plants using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens infection method to verify its function in their reproductive development. The RiACS1 gene, with a total length of 1476 bp, encoded a protein with 491 amino acids. The subcellular localization analysis of the RiACS1 protein in the tobacco transient expression system revealed that the RiACS1-GFP fusion protein was mainly located in the nucleus. Compared with the control, the flowering time and fruit color turning time of transgenic strains were advanced, and the fruit hardness was reduced. Overexpression of RiACS1 increased the activity of ACC synthase, ethylene release rate, and respiration rate during the transchromic phase. It changed the substance content, increased the content of vitamin C and anthocyanin in the fruit ripening process, and decreased the content of chlorophyll and titrable acid at the maturity stage. In addition, RiACS1 increased the relative expression levels of ethylene synthesis-related genes such as SlACS4, SlACO3, and SlACO1 in the fruit ripening process, while it decreased the expression levels of SlACS2 at the maturity stage. These results suggested that the RiACS1 gene could promote early flowering and fruit ripening in tomato plants. This study provided a basis for further modifying raspberry varieties using molecular biology techniques. Full article

Drought stress is one of the main factors limiting the high yield and quality of potatoes. Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are an important class of glycoproteins widely present in the cell walls, plasma membranes, and extracellular matrices of higher plants. Among them, fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins (FLAs) are involved in plant development, stress responses, and hormone signal regulation. However, little is known about the FLAs gene in potatoes. Based on transcriptome sequencing data, this study screened a drought stress-related candidate FLA gene (StFLA4) through bioinformatics and expression analysis in potatoes. qRT-PCR analysis showed that StFLA4 was induced by drought stress, and its expression decreased with the extension of stress time. Moreover, the relative expression level of StFLA4 in the drought-resistant variety “Kexin 1” was lower than in the drought-sensitive variety “Atlantic”. The StFLA4 protein was located in the cell membrane and interacted with nineteen proteins, mainly related to response to environmental stimulus, cellular response to abiotic stimulus, and cell maturation. After heterologous overexpression of StFLA4 in tobacco, the transgenic plants showed more withered leaves than the wild-type tobacco under drought stress. During the drought stress period, the expression level of StFLA4 in the transgenic plants significantly decreased, and the activity of SOD and POD was significantly lower than that of WT. However, the MDA content was higher than that of WT. These results indicated that StFLA4 negatively regulates the response to drought stress. In addition, in the germination test of potato “Variety V7” tubers, it was found that the variation tendency of StFLA4 expression was along with the concentration of arabinogalactan proteins, and it may participate in the regulation of potato tuber germination. This study lays the foundation for elucidating the function and expression pattern of StFLA4 response to drought stress and tuber germination in potatoes. Full article

Grape seed procyanidin extract (GSE) is widely used to promote cardiovascular health and has purported anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation in the lungs caused by environmental toxins such as tobacco smoking plays a pivotal role in lung cancer development. In a modified phase I lung cancer chemoprevention study conducted in heavy active and former smokers using leucoselect phytosome (LP), a standardized grape seed procyanidin extract complexed with soy phospholipids to enhance bioavailability, three months of LP treatment favorably modulated a variety of surrogate endpoint biomarkers, including markers of cell proliferation. In this correlative study, we further analyzed the effects of LP on cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activities by comparing the endogenous conversions of cortisol and cortisone to 6-beta-hydroxycortisol and 6-beta-hydroxycortisone, respectively, before and after LP treatment and the anti-inflammatory effects of LP in the lung microenvironment of these participants by comparing a profile of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in matched pre- and post-treatment bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids. LP treatment did not significantly alter CYP3A4 activity, and three months of LP treatment significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF), C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 3 (CCL3) and granzyme B in BAL fluids. Furthermore, post-LP-treatment BAL fluids significantly reduced migration/invasion of various human lung neoplastic cells in vitro. Our findings support the anti-inflammatory effects of GSE/LP in the lung microenvironment and its potential utility for reducing cancerizing forces, as well as driving forces for other common respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, in the lungs of heavy former and active smokers. Full article

Colored potatoes with red and purple skin or flesh possess significant nutritional value and health benefits due to their rich anthocyanin content. To investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying color formation, the high-anthocyanin-content purple-skinned and purple-fleshed potato line 15-12-16, and the white-skinned and white-fleshed Xiazhai 65 variety were used for ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) analysis, which was conducted to identify and quantify anthocyanins. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the transcriptome. The results indicated a significant upregulation of genes within the anthocyanidin biosynthesis pathway in the purple potato, while these genes were either downregulated or absent in the white potato. The bHLH, MYB, and WRKY gene families exhibited a greater number of regulatory members, suggesting their pivotal role in color formation. Integrated analysis of the transcriptional and metabolic revealed that 12 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to the anthocyanidin biosynthetic had a significant correlation with 18 anthocyanin metabolites. Notably, the key gene St5GT in the anthocyanidin biosynthesis pathway was markedly upregulated in the purple skin and flesh. Furthermore, the overexpression of St5GT (PGSC0003DMG400004573) in tobacco contributed to anthocyanin accumulation. The expression of 10 DEGs was validated through quantitative real-time PCR. In conclusion, these findings provide new insights into anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation in purple potatoes, offering valuable candidate genes for the future breeding of colored potatoes. Full article