Disruption of Photomorphogenesis Leads to Abnormal Chloroplast Development and Leaf Variegation in Camellia sinensis

Xizhi Gao; Xizhi Gao; Xizhi Gao; Chenyu Zhang; Chenyu Zhang; Chenyu Zhang; Chenyu Zhang; Cui Lu; Minghan Wang; Minghan Wang; Minghan Wang; Nianci Xie; Nianci Xie; Nianci Xie; Jianjiao Chen; Jianjiao Chen; Jianjiao Chen; Yunfei Li; Yunfei Li; Yunfei Li; Jiahao Chen; Jiahao Chen; Jiahao Chen; Chengwen Shen; Chengwen Shen; Chengwen Shen

doi:10.3389/fpls.2021.720800

Frontiers in Plant Science (Sep 2021)

Disruption of Photomorphogenesis Leads to Abnormal Chloroplast Development and Leaf Variegation in Camellia sinensis

Xizhi Gao,
Xizhi Gao,
Xizhi Gao,
Chenyu Zhang,
Chenyu Zhang,
Chenyu Zhang,
Chenyu Zhang,
Cui Lu,
Minghan Wang,
Minghan Wang,
Minghan Wang,
Nianci Xie,
Nianci Xie,
Nianci Xie,
Jianjiao Chen,
Jianjiao Chen,
Jianjiao Chen,
Yunfei Li,
Yunfei Li,
Yunfei Li,
Jiahao Chen,
Jiahao Chen,
Jiahao Chen,
Chengwen Shen,
Chengwen Shen,
Chengwen Shen

Affiliations

Xizhi Gao: Key Laboratory of Tea Science of Ministry of Education, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Xizhi Gao: National Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Xizhi Gao: Co-Innovation Center of Education Ministry for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Chenyu Zhang: Key Laboratory of Tea Science of Ministry of Education, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Chenyu Zhang: National Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Chenyu Zhang: Co-Innovation Center of Education Ministry for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Chenyu Zhang: Tea Research Institution, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
Cui Lu: Institution of Genomics and Bioinformatics, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
Minghan Wang: Key Laboratory of Tea Science of Ministry of Education, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Minghan Wang: National Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Minghan Wang: Co-Innovation Center of Education Ministry for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Nianci Xie: Key Laboratory of Tea Science of Ministry of Education, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Nianci Xie: National Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Nianci Xie: Co-Innovation Center of Education Ministry for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Jianjiao Chen: Key Laboratory of Tea Science of Ministry of Education, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Jianjiao Chen: National Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Jianjiao Chen: Co-Innovation Center of Education Ministry for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Yunfei Li: Key Laboratory of Tea Science of Ministry of Education, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Yunfei Li: National Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Yunfei Li: Co-Innovation Center of Education Ministry for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Jiahao Chen: Key Laboratory of Tea Science of Ministry of Education, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Jiahao Chen: National Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Jiahao Chen: Co-Innovation Center of Education Ministry for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Chengwen Shen: Key Laboratory of Tea Science of Ministry of Education, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Chengwen Shen: National Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
Chengwen Shen: Co-Innovation Center of Education Ministry for Utilization of Botanical Functional Ingredients, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.720800
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12

Abstract

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Camellia sinensis cv. ‘Yanlingyinbiancha’ is a leaf-variegated mutant with stable genetic traits. The current study aimed to reveal the differences between its albino and green tissues, and the molecular mechanism underlying the variegation. Anatomic analysis showed the chloroplasts of albino tissues to have no intact lamellar structure. Photosynthetic pigment in albino tissues was significantly lower than that in green tissues, whereas all catechin components were more abundant in the former. Transcriptome analysis revealed most differentially expressed genes involved in the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigment, photosynthesis, and energy metabolism to be downregulated in albino tissues while most of those participating in flavonoid metabolism were upregulated. In addition, it was found cryptochrome 1 (CRY1) and phytochrome B (PHYB) genes that encode blue and red light photoreceptors to be downregulated. These photoreceptors mediate chloroplast protein gene expression, chloroplast protein import and photosynthetic pigment biosynthesis. Simultaneously, SUS gene, which was upregulated in albino tissues, encodes sucrose synthase considered a biochemical marker for sink strength. Collectively, we arrived to the following conclusions: (1) repression of the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigment causes albinism; (2) destruction of photoreceptors in albino tissues suppresses photomorphogenesis, leading to abnormal chloroplast development; (3) albino tissues receive sucrose from the green tissues and decompose their own storage substances to obtain the energy needed for survival; and (4) UV-B signal and brassinosteroids promote flavonoid biosynthesis.

Published in Frontiers in Plant Science

ISSN: 1664-462X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Plant culture
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science

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