An Integrated Analysis of Transcriptome and Metabolism Reveals an Inhibitory Effect of Low Light on Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Purple cai-tai (Brassicarapa L. var. purpurea)
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Horticulturae 1743441 titled, “An integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolism reveals an inhibitory effect of low light on anthocyanin biosynthesis in purple cai-tai (Brassica rapa L. var. purpurea).”
The study describes the transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of purple cai-tai cultivar XH1 to explore the genes and metabolites up or down-regulated under low light conditions. The manuscript reports the TCP15 as a major transcription factor inhibited under low light conditions and the key factor inhibiting anthocyanin production in XH1.
The study is very well elaborated in terms of transcriptome analysis. A molecular studies-based model on low light inhibition of anthocyanins has been proposed to coordinate with circadian rhythm. Out of 5 transcription factors in the TCP gene family, TCP15 has been considered the critical gene inhibiting anthocyanins production under low light. The transcriptomics-based studies have been supported very well by the data provided in the supplementary materials. The manuscript lacks the work on the gain of function studies proving that TCP15 is the only transcription factor involved in the down-regulation of anthocyanin production pathways.
Moreover, there is no data provided on the analysis of metabolites. The manuscript is incomplete without gain of function or loss of function studies either by expressing the TCP15 under low light or suppressing TCP15 under good light conditions. The data and analysis of metabolites need to be presented in the paper. There are some grammatical and spelling mistakes in the document which need to be corrected.
Author Response
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Reviewer 2 Report
This manuscript was very difficult to follow and read. I do not have detailed notes because there is too much to be addressed. The language is broken and it is difficult to determine what message the authors are trying to convey.
One example is the non-targeted metabolomics analysis. The methods do not mention any type of detector used in combination with the LC. Was there a gradient used? Was there a column used? What type of LC? How was the data analyzed and identifications made?
The experimental approach is an interesting concept and important in light of climate change to conduct these studies in crop species. The manuscript needs more details and to be more clearly written.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
The subject of the manuscript is topical, very significant and interesting. The present study evaluate the inhibitory effects of anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway and BrTCP15 by low light treatments, and extends our knowledge on regulatory mechanism of anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway in response to low light in B. rapa L. The length, quality and language of the paper are adequate. The used methods are accurate. The results are clearly presented. I have only one recommendation to authors: please improve the conclusion of the manuscript and check the text for technical errors.
Author Response
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Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Nil
