Loss-function-of a UMP kinase leads to impaired chloroplast development and photosynthesis efficiency in cucumber

Abstract

Photosynthesis, a critical process occurring the chloroplast, supports essential metabolic pathways crucial for plant survival and adaptive responses. This study explores the cucumber tnyl2 mutant's impact on photosynthesis and chloroplast development, highlighting critical metabolic pathways essential for plant adaptability. The tnyl2 mutant, characterized by stunted growth and a photo-bleached phenotype, reveals a compromised chloroplast structure and function. Through genetic analysis, CsUMPK (Csa6G483490) emerged as the pivotal gene associated with these abnormalities, playing a vital role in chlorophyll synthesis and chloroplast integrity. Reduced chlorophyll levels and altered chloroplast architecture in the mutant underscore CsUMPK's significance. Moreover, the decline in CAB genes expression and potential intron splicing abnormalities due to CsUMPK dysfunction emphasize its essentiality in the photosynthetic apparatus. The present findings highlight the crucial contribution of CsUMPK to photosynthetic efficiency and chloroplast formation, offering insights into the molecular basis of photosynthesis across plant species.

Keywords

• cucumber
• chloroplast development
• photosynthesis
• csumpk