Unveiling the genetic basis of floral scent formation in roses using weighted gene co-expression and protein-protein interaction network analyses

Abstract Rosa species hold considerable economic and medicinal importance, used in traditional medicine, essential oils, and landscaping. However, the mechanisms of floral scent formation in roses are not well understood, hindering genetic improvement. To bridge this gap, we conducted a combined tra...

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Main Authors: Chan Xu, Yuan Chen, Qiaoli Xie, Zongli Hu, Hang Guo, Guoping Chen, Shibing Tian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08137-5
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author Chan Xu
Yuan Chen
Qiaoli Xie
Zongli Hu
Hang Guo
Guoping Chen
Shibing Tian
author_facet Chan Xu
Yuan Chen
Qiaoli Xie
Zongli Hu
Hang Guo
Guoping Chen
Shibing Tian
author_sort Chan Xu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Rosa species hold considerable economic and medicinal importance, used in traditional medicine, essential oils, and landscaping. However, the mechanisms of floral scent formation in roses are not well understood, hindering genetic improvement. To bridge this gap, we conducted a combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis, identifying nine key fragrance compounds. Using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), we linked 574 genes to these compounds. From these, we identified candidate genes through differential expression, functional annotations, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. We predicted candidate genes, NUDIX1, NUDIX2, GERD, AFS1, AFS2, CYP82G1, HMG1, NCED2, CCD7, PSY, ICMEL2, MAD1, and MAD2 that might terpenoid-related genes, as well as potential benzenoid/phenylpropanoid-related candidate genes, DET2, DET3, ICS2, PAL1, UGT74B1, MYB330, GST, CAD1, HST, PCBER1, LAC15, CSE, PER25, PER47, PER63, FBA, LNK2, PRE1, and PRE6. Additionally, three function-unknown genes, LOC112167529, LOC112174760, and LOC112183447, were predicted as candidate genes potentially involved in the formation of floral scent.
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issn 2045-2322
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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spelling doaj-art-74aa4aa188a543f0b1f6663f286fbe1c2025-08-20T03:45:23ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-08137-5Unveiling the genetic basis of floral scent formation in roses using weighted gene co-expression and protein-protein interaction network analysesChan Xu0Yuan Chen1Qiaoli Xie2Zongli Hu3Hang Guo4Guoping Chen5Shibing Tian6College of Bioengineering, Chongqing UniversityInstitute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural SciencesCollege of Bioengineering, Chongqing UniversityCollege of Bioengineering, Chongqing UniversityInstitute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural SciencesCollege of Bioengineering, Chongqing UniversityInstitute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chongqing Academy of Agricultural SciencesAbstract Rosa species hold considerable economic and medicinal importance, used in traditional medicine, essential oils, and landscaping. However, the mechanisms of floral scent formation in roses are not well understood, hindering genetic improvement. To bridge this gap, we conducted a combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis, identifying nine key fragrance compounds. Using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), we linked 574 genes to these compounds. From these, we identified candidate genes through differential expression, functional annotations, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. We predicted candidate genes, NUDIX1, NUDIX2, GERD, AFS1, AFS2, CYP82G1, HMG1, NCED2, CCD7, PSY, ICMEL2, MAD1, and MAD2 that might terpenoid-related genes, as well as potential benzenoid/phenylpropanoid-related candidate genes, DET2, DET3, ICS2, PAL1, UGT74B1, MYB330, GST, CAD1, HST, PCBER1, LAC15, CSE, PER25, PER47, PER63, FBA, LNK2, PRE1, and PRE6. Additionally, three function-unknown genes, LOC112167529, LOC112174760, and LOC112183447, were predicted as candidate genes potentially involved in the formation of floral scent.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08137-5RosaFloral scentWGCNAPPIHub gene
spellingShingle Chan Xu
Yuan Chen
Qiaoli Xie
Zongli Hu
Hang Guo
Guoping Chen
Shibing Tian
Unveiling the genetic basis of floral scent formation in roses using weighted gene co-expression and protein-protein interaction network analyses
Scientific Reports
Rosa
Floral scent
WGCNA
PPI
Hub gene
title Unveiling the genetic basis of floral scent formation in roses using weighted gene co-expression and protein-protein interaction network analyses
title_full Unveiling the genetic basis of floral scent formation in roses using weighted gene co-expression and protein-protein interaction network analyses
title_fullStr Unveiling the genetic basis of floral scent formation in roses using weighted gene co-expression and protein-protein interaction network analyses
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling the genetic basis of floral scent formation in roses using weighted gene co-expression and protein-protein interaction network analyses
title_short Unveiling the genetic basis of floral scent formation in roses using weighted gene co-expression and protein-protein interaction network analyses
title_sort unveiling the genetic basis of floral scent formation in roses using weighted gene co expression and protein protein interaction network analyses
topic Rosa
Floral scent
WGCNA
PPI
Hub gene
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08137-5
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