In the present study, the effects of root restriction (RR) on the main phenolic metabolites and the related gene expression at different developmental stages were studied at the transcriptomic and metabolomic levels in "Summer Black" grape berries (Vitis vinifera × Vitis labrusca). The results were as follows: seven phenolic acid compounds, three stilbene compounds, nine flavonol compounds, 10 anthocyanin compounds, and 24 proanthocyanidin compounds were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. RR treatment significantly promoted the biosynthesis of phenolic acid, trans-resveratrol, flavonol, and anthocyanin and also affected the proanthocyanidin content, which was elevated in the early developmental stages and then reduced in the late developmental stages. The functional genes for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, trans-cinnamate 4-monooxygenase, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, shikimate O-hydroxycinnamoyl transferase, chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, stilbene synthase, flavonoid 3',5'-hydroxylase, anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosyltransferase, and the transcription factors MYBA1, MYBA2, MYBA3, and MYBA22 were inferred to play critical roles in the changes regulated by RR treatment.
Keywords: RNA-seq; grape berry; phenol metabolism; root restriction.