High-Resolution Temporal Transcriptome and Metabolome Atlas of Vitis davidii Berry Development Provides Insights into Its Unique Metabolite Accumulation Patterns.

Abstract

Mature Vitis davidii berries exhibit a unique metabolite profile characterized by exceptionally low malate, relatively lower soluble sugars, and abundant anthocyanin diglucoside accumulation. To elucidate the regulatory basis underlying these distinctive traits, we performed an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis across 18 developmental stages. This atlas identified veraison as a critical metabolic reprogramming window, marking a significant shift in metabolic flux that is potentially linked to species-specific transcriptional divergences. Using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), we identified candidate hub genes hypothesized to participate in these shifts. Specifically, transient transformation in grapevine callus provided preliminary functional evidence suggesting that the nuclear-localized transcription factor VdNAC17 potentially regulates soluble sugar accumulation, while VdbZIP30 might serve a dual regulatory function coordinating both soluble sugars and anthocyanins. Collectively, this high-resolution multiomics atlas proposes a foundational regulatory framework for V. davidii berry quality and identifies promising genetic targets for targeted grapevine breeding programs.