Comparative profiling of gene expression in Camellia sinensis L. cultivar AnJiBaiCha leaves during periodic albinism.

Abstract

The AnJiBaiCha albino mutant tea cultivar has a reversible albino phenotype at low temperatures. Albino AnJiBaiCha leaves contain high levels of amino acids, which are important components affecting the quality of tea as a beverage. To examine the molecular mechanism of albinism and amino acid enrichment in AnJiBaiCha, we used the amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) technique to isolate genes that are differentially expressed during periodic albinism in AnJiBaiCha. A total of 127 transcript-derived fragments (TDFs) were successfully sequenced; among those, 60 TDFs showed high similarity to sequences with known functions, but 67 TDFs were not similar to any known genes. The identified transcripts include transcription factors, ubiquitination-related genes, chloroplast biogenesis genes, signal transduction genes, stress-related genes, cell cycle genes, and carbohydrate and energy metabolism genes. To validate the cDNA-AFLP results, quantitative real-time PCR was used to confirm the differential expression of six of the identified genes. The cDNA-AFLP and quantitative real-time PCR results correlated well, indicating that the cDNA-AFLP results are reliable. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms by which periodic albinism and amino acid accumulation take place in AnJiBaiCha.

• Authors: Ling Yuan, Li-Gui Xiong, Ting-Ting Deng, Yang Wu, Juan Li, Shuo-Qian Liu, Jian-An Huang, Zhong-Hua Liu
• Journal: Gene (Gene) Vol. 561 Issue 1 Pg. 23-9 (Apr 25 2015) ISSN: 1879-0038 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 25576956 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Amino Acids
• Tea

Topics

• Amino Acids (metabolism)
• Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis
• Base Sequence
• Camellia sinensis (genetics, metabolism)
• Gene Expression
• Gene Expression Profiling
• Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
• Pigmentation (genetics)
• Plant Leaves (cytology)
• Sequence Analysis, DNA
• Tea (genetics, metabolism)