QTL-Seq and Sequence Assembly Rapidly Mapped the Gene BrMYBL2.1 for the Purple Trait in Brassica rapa

Anthocyanins have strong antioxidant activity and are believed to be healthy for human beings. The Brassica rapa L. ssp. chinensis var. purpurea “Zicaitai” is rich in anthocyanins. We constructed an F(2) population of Zicaitai and “Caixin” (Brassica rapa ssp. parachinensis) and it shows clear segregation of the purple phenotype (i.e., variation in anthocyanin enrichment). Here, quantitative trait locus (QTL)-Seq was performed with two sample groups from the F(2) population: one exhibiting an intense purple phenotype and the other showed a completely green phenotype. The results showed that the QTL-Seq and linkage analysis located different major loci. This indicates that there are two major genetic factors that plays different roles in regulating anthocyanin enrichment in Zicaitai. This was further supported by the data simulation of an in silico F(2) population that QTL-Seq and linkage analysis can locate different major loci. Furthermore, the draft genomes of the two parents (Zicaitai and Caixin) were assembled and utilized to search for mutations in candidate genes. A ~100-bp insertion was found in the third exon of gene BrMYBL2.1 in Zicaitai. BrMYBL2.1 is a negative regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis, while BrEGL3.2—previously located by linkage mapping—is a positive regulator. For these populations with multiple genes contributing large effects to a trait, a strategy of low depth re-sequencing of F(2) individuals followed by QTL-Seq analysis with the free combination of sample groups is proposed. Furthermore, draft-sequence assembly of parental genomes together with QTL mapping is suggested as an efficient means for fine-mapping genes rapidly in segregating populations.