RT Journal Article
T1 A Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals QTLs and Candidate Genes Associated with the Carotenoid Content in the Flesh of Cucurbita pepo L. Fruit
A1 López Ferrer, Alba
A1 García Fuentes, Alicia
A1 Castro Cegrí, Alejandro
A1 Segura Morales, María
A1 Benítez Mateo, Álvaro
A1 Palma Martín, Francisco José
A1 Garrido Garrido, María Dolores
A1 Martínez Martínez, Cecilia
A1 Jamilena, Manuel
AB 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.
PB MDPI
SN 2076-3921 (electrónico)
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/27385
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/27385
LA eng
NO López, A., García, A., Castro-Cegrí, A., Segura, M., Benítez, Á., Palma, F., Garrido, D., Martínez, C., & Jamilena, M. (2025). A Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals QTLs and Candidate Genes Associated with the Carotenoid Content in the Flesh of Cucurbita pepo L. Fruit. Antioxidants, 14(9), 1090. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14091090
NO This research was funded by ‘Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades’ together with EU FEDER funds, grant number PID2020-118080RB-C21 and PID2020-118080RB-C22. A.L. gratefully acknowledges the FPI Scholarship Program from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Grant number PRE2021-100376) and A.G. is granted with a Margarita Salas postdoctoral fellowship (Grant number RR_A_2022_05).
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 30 may 2026