Insights into the physiological, molecular, and genetic regulators of albinism in Camellia sinensis leaves

Introduction: Yanling Yinbiancha, a cultivar of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, is an evergreen woody perennial with characteristic albino leaves. A mutant variant with green leaves on branches has been recently identified. The molecular mechanisms underlying this color variation remain unknown.Me...

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Main Authors: Yang Zhao, Peidi Yang, Yang Cheng, Yong Liu, Yang Yang, Zhen Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-09-01
Series:Frontiers in Genetics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2023.1219335/full
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author Yang Zhao
Peidi Yang
Yang Cheng
Yong Liu
Yang Yang
Zhen Liu
author_facet Yang Zhao
Peidi Yang
Yang Cheng
Yong Liu
Yang Yang
Zhen Liu
author_sort Yang Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Yanling Yinbiancha, a cultivar of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, is an evergreen woody perennial with characteristic albino leaves. A mutant variant with green leaves on branches has been recently identified. The molecular mechanisms underlying this color variation remain unknown.Methods: We aimed to utilize omics tools to decipher the molecular basis for this color variation, with the ultimate goal of enhancing existing germplasm and utilizing it in future breeding programs.Results and discussion: Albinotic leaves exhibited significant chloroplast degeneration and reduced carotenoid accumulation. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of the two variants revealed 1,412 differentially expressed genes and 127 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs). Enrichment analysis for DEGs suggested significant enrichment of pathways involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins, porphyrin, chlorophyll, and carotenoids. To further narrow down the causal variation for albinotic leaves, we performed a conjoint analysis of metabolome and transcriptome and identified putative candidate genes responsible for albinism in C. sinensis leaves. 12, 7, and 28 DEGs were significantly associated with photosynthesis, porphyrin/chlorophyll metabolism, and flavonoid metabolism, respectively. Chlorophyllase 2, Chlorophyll a-Binding Protein 4A, Chlorophyll a-Binding Protein 24, Stay Green Regulator, Photosystem II Cytochrome b559 subunit beta along with transcription factors AP2, bZIP, MYB, and WRKY were identified as a potential regulator of albinism in Yanling Yinbiancha. Moreover, we identified Anthocyanidin reductase and Arabidopsis Response Regulator 1 as DEGs influencing flavonoid accumulation in albino leaves. Identification of genes related to albinism in C. sinensis may facilitate genetic modification or development of molecular markers, potentially enhancing cultivation efficiency and expanding the germplasm for utilization in breeding programs.
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spelling doaj.art-4e5f11abf25147cca8e9effe50d3c1442023-09-06T17:24:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Genetics1664-80212023-09-011410.3389/fgene.2023.12193351219335Insights into the physiological, molecular, and genetic regulators of albinism in Camellia sinensis leavesYang ZhaoPeidi YangYang ChengYong LiuYang YangZhen LiuIntroduction: Yanling Yinbiancha, a cultivar of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, is an evergreen woody perennial with characteristic albino leaves. A mutant variant with green leaves on branches has been recently identified. The molecular mechanisms underlying this color variation remain unknown.Methods: We aimed to utilize omics tools to decipher the molecular basis for this color variation, with the ultimate goal of enhancing existing germplasm and utilizing it in future breeding programs.Results and discussion: Albinotic leaves exhibited significant chloroplast degeneration and reduced carotenoid accumulation. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of the two variants revealed 1,412 differentially expressed genes and 127 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs). Enrichment analysis for DEGs suggested significant enrichment of pathways involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins, porphyrin, chlorophyll, and carotenoids. To further narrow down the causal variation for albinotic leaves, we performed a conjoint analysis of metabolome and transcriptome and identified putative candidate genes responsible for albinism in C. sinensis leaves. 12, 7, and 28 DEGs were significantly associated with photosynthesis, porphyrin/chlorophyll metabolism, and flavonoid metabolism, respectively. Chlorophyllase 2, Chlorophyll a-Binding Protein 4A, Chlorophyll a-Binding Protein 24, Stay Green Regulator, Photosystem II Cytochrome b559 subunit beta along with transcription factors AP2, bZIP, MYB, and WRKY were identified as a potential regulator of albinism in Yanling Yinbiancha. Moreover, we identified Anthocyanidin reductase and Arabidopsis Response Regulator 1 as DEGs influencing flavonoid accumulation in albino leaves. Identification of genes related to albinism in C. sinensis may facilitate genetic modification or development of molecular markers, potentially enhancing cultivation efficiency and expanding the germplasm for utilization in breeding programs.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2023.1219335/fullalbinismleavespigmentationflavonoidscarotenoidschlorophyll
spellingShingle Yang Zhao
Peidi Yang
Yang Cheng
Yong Liu
Yang Yang
Zhen Liu
Insights into the physiological, molecular, and genetic regulators of albinism in Camellia sinensis leaves
Frontiers in Genetics
albinism
leaves
pigmentation
flavonoids
carotenoids
chlorophyll
title Insights into the physiological, molecular, and genetic regulators of albinism in Camellia sinensis leaves
title_full Insights into the physiological, molecular, and genetic regulators of albinism in Camellia sinensis leaves
title_fullStr Insights into the physiological, molecular, and genetic regulators of albinism in Camellia sinensis leaves
title_full_unstemmed Insights into the physiological, molecular, and genetic regulators of albinism in Camellia sinensis leaves
title_short Insights into the physiological, molecular, and genetic regulators of albinism in Camellia sinensis leaves
title_sort insights into the physiological molecular and genetic regulators of albinism in camellia sinensis leaves
topic albinism
leaves
pigmentation
flavonoids
carotenoids
chlorophyll
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2023.1219335/full
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