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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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-09-01
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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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last_indexed | 2024-03-12T02:09:05Z |
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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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