@misc{10481/108631,
year = {2025},
month = {9},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/108631},
abstract = {Considering the importance of carotenoids in the human diet, their enhancement is a key
trait in current breeding programs. This study assessed lutein, zeaxanthin, α-carotene, and
β-carotene levels in the flesh of mature fruits from 257 global C. pepo accessions. Lutein and
β-carotene were the most prevalent, with top accessions identified for each carotenoid. A
panel of 120 accessions with reliable carotenoid contents and genetic diversity was analyzed
using 23,111 GBS-generated SNPs in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Three
genomic regions (qtl1, qtl3, and qtl13) on chromosomes 1, 3, and 13 were significantly linked
to carotenoid levels, with alternative alleles increasing the carotenoid content, leading
to yellowish–orange flesh. Seven candidate genes were identified: CpTIC56, CpHSHP70,
and CpPDL8, which regulate carotenoid biosynthesis in chloroplasts; CpSPX and CpPHO1,
associated with phosphate homeostasis and carotenoid buildup; CpMYB106, co-expressed
with carotenoid biosynthesis genes; and a CpPPR RNA-binding protein. RNA-seq
data from yellow- and white-fleshed fruits supported their involvement in carotenoid
accumulation. These results improve our understanding of the genetic control of carotenoid
buildup in C. pepo fruit, supporting breeding efforts for improved nutritional quality.},
organization = {Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades - EU FEDER (grant number PID2020-118080RB-C21; PID2020-118080RB-C22)},
organization = {Spanish Ministry of Science and
Innovation (Grant number PRE2021-100376)},
organization = {Margarita Salas postdoctoral
fellowship (Grant number RR_A_2022_05)},
publisher = {MDPI},
keywords = {Squash},
keywords = {Genetic control},
keywords = {Carotenoid pathway},
title = {A Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals QTLs and Candidate Genes Associated with the Carotenoid Content in the Flesh of Cucurbita pepo L. Fruit},
doi = {10.3390/antiox14091090},
author = {López, Alba and García, Alicia and Castro-Cegrí, Alejandro and Segura, María and Benítez, Álvaro and Palma, Francisco and Garrido Garrido, Dolores and Martínez, Cecilia and Jamilena, Manuel},
}