Arachis hypogaea gene expression atlas for fastigiata subspecies of cultivated groundnut to accelerate functional and translational genomics applications

Spatio-temporal and developmental stage-specific transcriptome analysis plays a crucial role in systems biology-based improvement of any species. In this context, we report here the Arachis hypogaea gene expression atlas (AhGEA) for the world's widest cultivated subsp. fastigiata based on RNA-seq data using 20 diverse tissues across five key developmental stages. Approximately 480 million paired-end filtered reads were generated followed by identification of 81 901 transcripts from an early-maturing, high-yielding, drought-tolerant groundnut variety, ICGV 91114. Further, 57 344 genome-wide transcripts were identified with ≥1 FPKM across different tissues and stages. Our in-depth analysis of the global transcriptome sheds light into complex regulatory networks namely gravitropism and photomorphogenesis, seed development, allergens and oil biosynthesis in groundnut. Importantly, interesting insights into molecular basis of seed development and nodulation have immense potential for translational genomics research. We have also identified a set of stable expressing transcripts across the selected tissues, which could be utilized as internal controls in groundnut functional genomics studies. The AhGEA revealed potential transcripts associated with allergens, which upon appropriate validation could be deployed in the coming years to develop consumer-friendly groundnut varieties. Taken together, the AhGEA touches upon various important and key features of cultivated groundnut and provides a reference for further functional, comparative and translational genomics research for various economically important traits.