The Transcriptional Regulatory Mechanisms Exploration of Jujube Biological Traits through Multi-Omics Analysis

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript by Zhang et al. reviews achievements and prospects of application of omics-based technologies for jujube. The paper can be accepted after the following revisions are carried out appropriately.

Information about the main directions of jujube breeding should be added to the Introduction.

There are a few articles on jujube proteomics, they can be added to the review.

L. 42, 108, 286. “spinosa” should be italicized.

L. 44. Correctly indicate the height of the plant in meters.

L. 100. Variety “Juzao”, but variety “Junzao” in Table 1. Correct please.

Table 1. The name of the table should be changed, since it contains only the names of varieties.

Table 2. Reference numbers must be added.

Table 3. Please explain the difference between the terms “Transgenic breeding” and “Genetically modified breeding”.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thanks for your comments concerning our manuscript. Those comments were valuable and very helpful for revising and improving our paper and were important in defining the significance of our research. We have studied the comments carefully and have made corrections that we hope meet your approval. Revised portions are marked in red in the paper. The main corrections in the paper and the responses to the reviewer’s comments are attached. Please check it.

best regards

Gao-pu Zhu

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript titled "The transcriptional regulatory mechanisms exploration of jujube biological traits through multi-omics analysis” is grat paper about this topic. I think it contains a lot of useful information for the future too. It is also really good to read, that this paper contains a lot of detailed information about the examined genome. Results derived from this research can be used by the members of the jujube growing sector.

I think, this paper summerized the current results can be read in the literature. The paper contains detailed refernces.

Is it possible to entlarge a little bit the figures to be able to see it better?

I have some very small remarks. Table 1 contains some Chinese bred jujube varieties. Is it possible to put some information about their origin? Are those selected from the local population or cross bred?

The mentioned genotypes (Table 1.) with Chinese origin should be essential in this paper. Is it possible to add short descriptions (their most valueable characteristics only) about them?

The conclusions are correct, relevant for the examined topic.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thanks for your comments concerning our manuscript. Those comments were valuable and very helpful for revising and improving our paper and were important in defining the significance of our research. We have studied the comments carefully and have made corrections that we hope meet your approval. Revised portions are marked in red in the paper. The main corrections in the paper and the responses to the reviewer’s comments are attached. Please check it.

beset regards

Gao-pu Zhu

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Overall, the work is well-written. However, many sentences are lengthy, and there is often repetition of the same words. I recommend carefully revising the text to improve its fluidity. Additionally, please check the use of the words "cultivar" or "variety" throughout the entire text. Below are specific comments and suggestions.

Line 28: Jujube is already in the title, replace with scientific name; multi-omics is already in the title, replace with another keyword

Lines 95: of these repeat

Lines 96-97: The reference to Table 1 is not clear. To which tissues do the authors refer?

Moreover, only after reading the entire paragraph 2 is it understood that Table 1 summarizes the results of the four studies mentioned in the text. References to Table 1 need to be clearer. In the table, bibliographic references should be included in the legend (as done for Table 2) and the distinction between Chinese jujube and Sour jujube must be clearly indicated. It should be explained that Sour jujube (Z. acidojujuba Cheng et Liu) is generally considered to be the direct wild ancestor species of Chinese jujube.

Line 100: Junzao or Juzao?

Table 1. ‘Summary of the genome sequences of the Chinese jujube varieties (OR CULTIVARS?), Dongzao and Junzao, and their potential wild ancestor species Suanzao.’

Line 130: delete ‘sequencing’

Lines 216-232: There are no bibliographic references at all

Line 244: ‘In’ recent years

Line 255: This ‘implies’

Line 212: Replace paragraph title with ‘Sugar and organic acid accumulation and metabolism’ (jujube is already mentioned in 5.)

Line 247: space before ‘and’

Line 293: space before ‘Transcriptome’

Lines 302-303: comparing with sweet researches?

Line 305: Replace paragraph title with ‘Terpenoids biosynthesis’

Line306: delete ‘triterpenes’

Lines 309-325: is all referred to reference 54?

Line 17 and 311: Jujube always lowercase throughout the text

Line 336: ‘representing’

Line 338: The sentence is not correct as ZjSQS2 (evm.model.Contig75.307) is not cited before

Line 341: Insert space before ‘and’; delete ‘(evm.model.Contig34.195)’

Line 343: please check ‘ZjFPS’

Lines 345-346: However, the corresponding transcription factor of ZjSQE is still unclear (Fig. 2).? One cannot be required to interpret a figure before understanding the text.

Figure 2: is not readable

Line 371: Replace paragraph title with ‘Flavonoid biosynthesis’

Line 376: delete ‘a’

Line 378: delete ‘in the pathway’

Line 384: ‘of 'Junzao' and 'Jishanbanzao' cvs. was conducted with the identification of two potential key ..’

Lines 387 -393: Check grammar of this sentence

Line 388: jujube peel

Line 406: Replace paragraph title with ‘Abiotic stress response’

Line 414: ‘Several genes responding to abiotic stress in jujube have …’

Line 415: delete ‘the identified’

Line 415-418: This sentence is too long; check grammar

Line 419: If ‘such as’ is used, all nine ZjBAM genes must be reported

Line 423: and its autotetraploid?

Line 434: replace Additionally with ‘Finally’

Lines 436-439: very long sentence. Also check grammar. ‘However, the transcription factors corresponding to the identified genes that respond to abiotic stress remain unclear. Additionally, the targets of the identified transcription factors involved in abiotic stress are limited. Resolving these issues will enhance the exploration of the molecular mechanisms governing the jujube's response to abiotic stress.’

Line 474: varieties or cultivars?

Figure 3. I would use more beautiful and high-resolution images

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English language and grammar are good; however, many sentences are quite lengthy, and certain terms are repeated frequently throughout the text. Clarity is needed regarding the distinction between varieties and cultivars. Additionally, the images should be enhanced with higher resolution and more visually appealing figures.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thanks for your comments concerning our manuscript. Those comments were valuable and very helpful for revising and improving our paper and were important in defining the significance of our research. We have studied the comments carefully and have made corrections that we hope meet your approval. Revised portions are marked in red in the paper. The main corrections in the paper and the responses to the reviewer’s comments are attached. Please check it.

best regards

Gao-pu Zhu

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The work has been implemented as requested.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English form is good, but it requires some minor adjustments.