Metabolomics and transcriptomics were combined to screen candidate genes associated with peel color divergence, and gene functional validation confirmed the regulatory effect of the target gene.
Core Findings
Identified Cll978 as the master regulatory gene driving delphinidin-type anthocyanin accumulation in purple peel wampee
Verified that this gene positively activates the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, forming the unique purple peel phenotype of wampee
Provided target genetic resources for molecular breeding of elite fruit color traits in wampee
Publication Note: Manuscript titled The Cll978 gene regulates delphinidin-based anthocyanin accumulation in a rare purple Wampee (Clausena lansium) is under Journal Pre-proof revision; official impact factor and DOI not yet assigned.