Decoding the molecular mechanism of parthenocarpy in Musa spp. through protein-protein interaction network
Abstract Banana, one of the most important staple, delicious fruit among global consumers is highly sterile owing to natural parthenocarpy. Identification of genetic factors responsible for parthenocarpy would facilitate the conventional breeders to improve the seeded accessions. We have constructed Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network through mining differentially expressed genes and the genes used for transgenic studies with respect to parthenocarpy. Based on the topological and pathway enrichment analysis of proteins in PPI network, 12 candidate genes were shortlisted. By exploring the PPI of candidate genes from the putative network, we postulated a putative pathway that bring insights into the significance of cytokinin mediated CLV-WUSHEL signaling pathway in addition to gibberellin mediated auxin signaling pathway in parthenocarpy. Further validation of candidate genes in seeded and seedless accession of Musa spp using qRT-PCR put forward AGL8, MADS16, IAA (GH3.8), RGA1, EXPA1, GID1C, HK2 and BAM1 as possible target genes in natural parthenocarpy. In contrary, expression profile of ACLB-2 and ZEP is anticipated to highlight the difference in artificially induced and natural parthenocarpy. Our analysis is the first attempt to identify candidate genes and to hypothesize a putative mechanism that bridges the gaps in understanding natural parthenocarpy through protein-protein interaction network.