Haplotype-specific analyses in apple: insights from 'Golden Delicious'.
Haplotype-resolved genome of 'Golden Delicious' reveals allele-specific gene expression and regulatory features in apple.
- Why it matters: Understanding genetic variation and allelic regulation is crucial for improving apple breeding and developing superior cultivars, yet detailed phased genomes were lacking.
- What they did: The team generated a fully phased, telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of 'Golden Delicious', identifying over 45,000 genes per haplotype and analyzing allele-specific expression, miRNA distribution, and methylation patterns.
- The result: This comprehensive genomic resource uncovers how allelic differences influence key traits like fruit softening, enabling targeted breeding strategies and accelerating cultivar development.