Genome-wide transcriptome and proteome analyses of tobacco psaA and psbA deletion mutants

Side Lighting of Red, Blue and Green Spectral Combinations Altered the Growth, Yield and Quality of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. "Yidali") in Plant Factory

A plant factory with artificial lighting (PFAL) usually uses top lighting for cultivation. The light from the upper part of the canopy cannot penetrate the entire lettuce canopy, however, resulting in uneven vertical spatial light in the canopy, and accelerating the senescence of both the bottom and side leaves of the plant canopy. Therefore, in this study, the performance of lettuce in hydroponics was investigated upon supplemental side lighting with different spectral LEDs in a PFAL. A set of short-term side lighting treatments, including no side lamps (CK), red (R), blue (B), red + blue (RB), and red + blue + green (RGB) LED lamps (150 μmol·m-2·s-1, respectively), was employed for an additional 2 h per day after normal top lighting for 6 days before harvest. The results showed that the lettuce canopy was relatively loose and had a large crown size under side lighting compared with CK. Side lighting, irrespective of spectral qualities, significantly increased the fresh weight, and the R, B, RB, and RGB treatments increased the shoot fresh weight of lettuce plants by 34%, 19%, 31%, and 34%, and increased the fresh weight of leaf layer 2 by 50%, 17%, 44%, and 48%, respectively. The side lighting of different spectral qualities had a significant impact on the nutritional quality of the first row of lettuce at the edge of the top lighting illuminated area. Treatment B significantly promoted the chlorophyll content of leaf layer 3; the soluble sugar contents from leaf layer 1, 2, and 3; the starch contents in leaf layers 2 and 3; and the content of phenolics in the leaf layers 3; and significantly reduced the nitrate content in leaf layers 2 and 3. RGB significantly increased soluble sugar content by 91%, and the starch content in leaf layer 1, as well as the leaf chlorophyll and flavonoid content of leaf layer 3, while R had opposite effect completely. RB significantly increased the leaf chlorophyll content of leaf layer 3 and the nitrate content in leaf layer 1, but the overall effect was lower than that of RGB. In summary, side lighting of any type could effectively improve lettuce yield, solve the problem of inconsistent lettuce plant size caused by the edge effect of top lighting, and affect the nutritional quality of lettuce. B and RGB performed best. There was spatial response diversity of lettuce plants to side lighting spectral qualities.

Drought-Stress-Induced Changes in Chloroplast Gene Expression in Two Contrasting Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo L.) Genotypes

This study investigated the effect of drought stress on the expression of chloroplast genes in two different genotypes (A1 and A4) of strawberry tree plants with contrasting performances. Two-year-old plants were subjected to drought (20 days at 18% field capacity), and the photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll content, and expression levels of 16 chloroplast genes involved in photosynthesis and metabolism-related enzymes were analyzed. Genotype-specific responses were prominent, with A1 displaying wilting and leaf curling, contrasting with the mild symptoms observed in A4. Quantification of damage using the net CO2 assimilation rates and chlorophyll content unveiled a significant reduction in A1, while A4 maintained stability. Gene expression analysis revealed substantial downregulation of A1 (15 out of 16 genes) and upregulation of A4 (14 out of 16 genes). Notably, psbC was downregulated in A1, while it was prominently upregulated in A4. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted genotype-specific clusters, emphasizing distinct responses under stress, whereas a correlation analysis elucidated intricate relationships between gene expression, net CO2 assimilation, and chlorophyll content. Particularly, a positive correlation with psaB, whereas a negative correlation with psbC was found in genotype A1. Regression analysis identified potential predictors for net CO2 assimilation, in particular psaB. These findings contribute valuable insights for future strategies targeting crop enhancement and stress resilience, highlighting the central role of chloroplasts in orchestrating plant responses to environmental stressors, and may contribute to the development of drought-tolerant plant varieties, which are essential for sustaining agriculture in regions affected by water scarcity.

Comparative Transcriptomic and Physiological Analyses Reveal Key Factors for Interstocks to Improve Grafted Seedling Growth in Tangor

Interstock is an important agronomic technique for regulating plant growth and fruit quality, and overcoming the incompatibility between rootstocks and scions; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, the effects and regulatory mechanisms of tangor grafting, with and without interstocks, on the growth and development of scions were analyzed by combining morphology, physiology, anatomy and transcriptomics. Morphological and physiological analyses showed that interstocks (‘Aiyuan 38’ and ‘Daya’) significantly improved the growth of seedlings, effectively enhanced the foliar accumulation of chlorophyll and carotenoids, and increased the thickness of leaf tissues. Using ‘Aiyuan 38’ as the interstock, photosynthetic efficiency and starch content of citrus seedlings improved. Transcriptomics showed that genes related to photosynthesis and photosynthetic antenna proteins were upregulated in interstock-treated seedlings, with significant upregulation of photosystem PSI- and PSII-related genes. In addition, multiple key genes may be involved in plant hormone signaling, starch and sucrose metabolism, and transcriptional regulation. Taken together, these findings provide novel insights into the role of interstocks in regulating and contributing to the growth and development of grafted seedlings, and will further define and deploy candidate genes to explore the mechanisms of rootstock-interstock-scion interactions.

Molecular, biochemical and micromorphological responses of cacao seedlings of the Parinari series, carrying the lethal gene Luteus-Pa, in the presence and absence of cotyledons

Investigations of the compatibility between cacao genotypes of the population of the Parinari series (Pa), resulting from the reciprocal crossing of Pa 30 × Pa 169 and Pa 121 × Pa 169, allowed the verification of the occurrence of the recessive lethal single character called Luteus-Pa. These genotypes have this gene in heterozygosity, which when intercross or self-fertilize, segregate in a 3:1 ratio. Normal (NS) and mutant (MS) seedlings grow normally and, after a period of approximately 30 days of age, MS leaves begin to show a metallic yellow color, followed by necrotic spots, and death of the entire seedling, approximately 40 days after the emergency. The work evaluate the molecular, biochemical and micromorphological responses in NS and MS, with and without cotyledons, resulting from the crossing of the Pa 30 × Pa 169 cacao genotypes, aiming to elucidate the possible lethal mechanisms of the homozygous recessive Luteus-Pa. The presence of the lethal gene Luteus-Pa in the seedlings of the cacao genotypes of the population of the Parinari (Pa), with and without cotyledons, resulting from the crossing of Pa 30 × Pa 169, in addition to regulating the synthesis of proteins related to the photosynthetic and stress defense processes, promoted an increase in the synthesis of proteins involved in the glycolic pathway, induced oxidative stress, altered the mobilization of cotyledonary reserves, the integrity of cell membranes, leaf micromorphology and induced the death of seedlings, soon after depletion of protein and carbohydrate reserves, especially in the absence of cotyledons.

High-throughput discovery of plastid genes causing albino phenotypes in ornamental chimeric plants

Chimeric plants composed of green and albino tissues have great ornamental value. To unveil the functional genes responsible for albino phenotypes in chimeric plants, we inspected the complete plastid genomes (plastomes) in green and albino leaf tissues from 23 ornamental chimeric plants belonging to 20 species, including monocots, dicots, and gymnosperms. In nine chimeric plants, plastomes were identical between green and albino tissues. Meanwhile, another 14 chimeric plants were heteroplasmic, showing a mutation between green and albino tissues. We identified 14 different point mutations in eight functional plastid genes related to plastid-encoded RNA polymerase (rpo) or photosystems which caused albinism in the chimeric plants. Among them, 12 were deleterious mutations in the target genes, in which early termination appeared due to small deletion-mediated frameshift or single nucleotide substitution. Another was single nucleotide substitution in an intron of the ycf3 and the other was a missense mutation in coding region of the rpoC2 gene. We inspected chlorophyll structure, protein functional model of the rpoC2, and expression levels of the related genes in green and albino tissues of Reynoutria japonica. A single amino acid change, histidine-to-proline substitution, in the rpoC2 protein may destabilize the peripheral helix of plastid-encoded RNA polymerase, impairing the biosynthesis of the photosynthesis system in the albino tissue of R. japonica chimera plant.

Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Alter the PSII Photochemistry, Photosystem-Related Gene Expressions, and Chloroplastic Antioxidant System in Zea mays under Copper Toxicity

A critical approach against copper (Cu) toxicity is the use of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs). However, the effect of CNMs on Cu toxicity-exposed chloroplasts is not clear. The photosynthetic, genetic, and biochemical effects of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (50-100-250 mg L^-1 CNT) were investigated under Cu stress (50-100 μM CuSO₄) in Zea mays chloroplasts. F_v/F_m and F_v/F_o were suppressed under stress. Stress altered the antioxidant system and the expression of psaA, psaB, psbA, and psbD. The chloroplastic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) increased under CNT + stress, and those of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and lipid peroxidation decreased. CNTs were promoted to the maintenance of the redox state by regulating enzyme/non-enzyme activity/contents involved in the AsA-GSH cycle. Furthermore, CNTs inverted the negative effects of Cu by upregulating the transcriptions of photosystem-related genes. However, the high CNT concentration had adverse effects on the antioxidant capacity. CNT has great potential to confer tolerance by reducing Cu-induced damage and protecting the biochemical reactions of photosynthesis.

The allelopathy and underlying mechanism of Skeletonema costatum on Karenia mikimotoi integrating transcriptomics profiling

The roles of allelopathy for succession of marine phytoplankton communities remain controversial, especially for the development of blooms. Physiological parameters measurement (Fv/Fm value, MDA content, SOD activity, Na⁺/K⁺, Ca²⁺/ Mg²⁺-ATPase activity, cell size, chlorophyll content, apoptosis and cell cycle) and whole transcriptome profiling analysis were used to investigate allelopathy effect of Skeletonema costatum on Karenia mikimotoi. Filtrate and extracts from S. costatum culture inhibited the growth of K. mikimotoi. Allelopathic effects were dose-dependent for filtrate culture and extract culture. K. mikimotoi scavenged excessive ROS and adapted to the stress fastly and easily, so oxidative damage was not the main cause of the growth inhibition. Allelochemicals of S. costatum were found to influence the structure and function of cell membrane of K. mikimotoi by damaging membrane structure till to cell necrosis, which caused high mortality. Coupled with the sensitivity of algal cells to environmental stress and restricted cell cycle, allelopathy was suggested to be deeply detrimental to the development of competition algal population.

Metabolomics analysis provides new insights into the medicinal value of flavonoids in tobacco leaves

Tobacco is a traditional Chinese medicine containing a variety of biologically active substances. In addition to being used to make cigarettes, tobacco is also a vastly underdeveloped medicinal resource. In order to identify and clarify the biological activities and medicinal value of tobacco leaves, the metabolomes of tobacco leaves were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based on multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). In total, 1169 metabolites were identified and quantified. The results showed that the metabolic profiles of the tobacco cultivars K326 and Yun87 are similar to each other but different from that of Hongda. Moreover, the curing process affects the metabolic profiles of tobacco leaves. Flavonoids are the largest class of metabolites in tobacco leaves. Flavonoids have multiple biological functions; for example, they can promote or inhibit inflammation. We found that quercetin provides anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the il-1β mRNA expression, while glycitin and neohesperidin can promote il-1β and il-6 production. Our results provide in-depth insights into the medical uses and biological mechanisms of tobacco leaves.

Effects of light spectrum on morpho-physiological traits of grafted tomato seedlings

It is already known that there are many factors responsible for the successful grafting process in plants, including light intensity. However, the influence of the spectrum of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on this process has almost never been tested. During the pre-grafting process tomato seedlings grew for 30 days under 100 μmol m-2 s-1 of mixed LEDs (red 70%+ blue 30%). During the post-grafting period, seedlings grew for 20 days under the same light intensity but the lightening source was either red LED, mixed LEDs (red 70% + blue 30%), blue LED or white fluorescent lamps. This was done to determine which light source(s) could better improve seedling quality and increase grafting success. Our results showed that application of red and blue light mixture (R7:B3) caused significant increase in total leaf area, dry weight (total, shoot and root), total chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio, soluble protein and sugar content. Moreover, this light treatment maintained better photosynthetic performance i.e. more effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry Y(II), better photochemical quenching (qP), and higher electron transport rate (ETR). This can be partially explained by the observed upregulation of gene expression levels of PsaA and PsbA and the parallel protein expression levels. This in turn could lead to better functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus of tomato seedlings and then to faster production of photoassimilate ready to be translocated to various tissues and organs, including those most in need, i.e., involved in the formation of the graft union.

Lighting Direction Affects Leaf Morphology, Stomatal Characteristics, and Physiology of Head Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

Plants are exposed to numerous biotic and abiotic stresses, and light is one of the most important factors that influences the plant morphology. This study was carried out to examine how the lighting direction affected the plant morphology by investigating the growth parameters, epidermal cell elongation, stomatal properties, and physiological changes. Seedlings of two head lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars, Caesar Green and Polla, were subjected to a 12 h photoperiod with a 300 μmol·m-2·s-1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) provided by light emitting diodes (LEDs) from three directions: the top, side, and bottom, relative to the plants. Compared with the top and side lighting, the bottom lighting increased the leaf angle and canopy by stimulating the epidermal cell elongation in leaf midrib, reduced the leaf number and root biomass, and induced large stomata with a low density, which is associated with reduced stomatal conductance and carbohydrate contents. However, the proline content and quantum yield exhibited no significant differences with the different lighting directions in both cultivars, which implies that the plants were under normal physiological conditions. In a conclusion, the lighting direction had a profound effect on the morphological characteristics of lettuce, where the plants adapted to the changing lighting environments.

Transcriptome profiling reveals the effects of drought tolerance in Giant Juncao

BACKGROUND

Giant Juncao is often used as feed for livestock because of its huge biomass. However, drought stress reduces forage production by affecting the normal growth and development of plants. Therefore, investigating the molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance will provide important information for the improvement of drought tolerance in this grass.

RESULTS

A total of 144.96 Gb of clean data was generated and assembled into 144,806 transcripts and 93,907 unigenes. After 7 and 14 days of drought stress, a total of 16,726 and 46,492 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed, respectively. Compared with normal irrigation, 16,247, 23,503, and 11,598 DEGs were observed in 1, 5, and 9 days following rehydration, respectively. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses revealed abiotic stress-responsive genes and pathways related to catalytic activity, methyltransferase activity, transferase activity, and superoxide metabolic process. We also identified transcription factors belonging to several families, including basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH), WRKY, NAM (no apical meristem), ATAF1/2 and CUC2 (cup-shaped cotyledon) (NAC), fatty acyl-CoA reductase (FAR1), B3, myeloblastosis (MYB)-related, and basic leucine zipper (bZIP) families, which are important drought-rehydration-responsive proteins. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was also used to analyze the RNA-seq data to predict the interrelationship between genes. Twenty modules were obtained, and four of these modules may be involved in photosynthesis and plant hormone signal transduction that respond to drought and rehydration conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research is the first to provide a more comprehensive understanding of DEGs involved in drought stress at the transcriptome level in Giant Juncao with different drought and recovery conditions. These results may reveal insights into the molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance in Giant Juncao and provide diverse genetic resources involved in drought tolerance research.

A point mutation in the photosystem I P700 chlorophyll a apoprotein A1 gene confers variegation in Helianthus annuus L

Even a point mutation in the psaA gene mediates chlorophyll deficiency. The role of the plastid signal may perform the redox state of the compounds on the acceptor-side of PSI. Two extranuclear variegated mutants of sunflower, Var1 and Var33, were investigated. The yellow sectors of both mutants were characterized by an extremely low chlorophyll and carotenoid content, as well as poorly developed, unstacked thylakoid membranes. A full-genome sequencing of the cpDNA revealed mutations in the psaA gene in both Var1 and Var33. The cpDNA from the yellow sectors of Var1 differs from those in the wild type by only a single, non-synonymous substitution (Gly734Glu) in the psaA gene, which encodes a subunit of photosystem (PS) I. In the cpDNA from the yellow sectors of Var33, the single-nucleotide insertion in the psaA gene was revealed, leading to frameshift at the 580 amino acid position. Analysis of the photosynthetic electron transport demonstrated an inhibition of the PSI and PSII activities in the yellow tissues of the mutant plants. It has been suggested that mutations in the psaA gene of both Var1 and Var33 led to the disruption of PSI. Due to the non-functional PSI, photosynthetic electron transport is blocked, which, in turn, leads to photodamage of PSII. These data are confirmed by immunoblotting analysis, which showed a significant reduction in PsbA in the yellow leaf sectors, but not PsaA. The expression of chloroplast and nuclear genes encoding the PSI subunits (psaA, psaB, and PSAN), the PSII subunits (psbA, psbB, and PSBW), the antenna proteins (LHCA1, LHCB1, and LHCB4), the ribulose 1.5-bisphosphate carboxylase subunits (rbcL and RbcS), and enzymes of chlorophyll biosynthesis were down-regulated in the yellow leaf tissue. The extremely reduced transcriptional activity of the two protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR) genes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis is noteworthy. The disruption of NADPH synthesis, due to the non-functional PSI, probably led to a significant reduction in NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase in the yellow sectors of Var1 and Var33. A dramatic decrease in chlorophyllide was shown in the yellow sectors. A reduction in NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase, along with photodegradation, has been suggested as a result of chlorophyll deficiency.

Lethal albinic seedling, encoding a threonyl-tRNA synthetase, is involved in development of plastid protein synthesis system in rice

An albinic rice is caused by mutation of threonyl-tRNA synthetase, which is essential for plant development by stabilizing of NEP and PEP gene expressions and chloroplast protein synthesis. Chloroplast biogenesis and development depend on complex genetic mechanisms. Apart from their function in translation, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) play additional role in gene expression regulation, RNA splicing, and cytokine activity. However, their detailed functions in plant development are still poorly understood. We isolated a lethal albinic seedling (las) mutant in rice. Physiological and ultrastructural analysis of las mutant plants revealed weak chlorophyll fluorescence, negligible chlorophyll accumulation, and defective thylakoid membrane development. By map based cloning we determined that the LAS allele gene encodes threonyl-tRNA synthetase (ThrRS). LAS was constitutively expressed with relatively high level in leaves. NEP-dependent gene transcripts accumulated in the developing chloroplasts, while PEP-dependent transcripts were reduced in the las mutant. This result indicated that PEP activity was impaired. Chloroplast-encoded protein levels were sharply reduced in the las mutant. Biogenesis of chloroplast rRNAs (16S and 23S rRNA) was arrested, leading to impaired translation and protein synthesis. Together, our findings indicated that LAS is essential not only for chloroplast development by stabilizing the NEP and PEP gene expression, but also for protein synthesis and construction of the ribosome system in rice chloroplasts.

Proteomic analysis of common bean stem under drought stress using in-gel stable isotope labeling

Drought is an abiotic stress that strongly influences plant growth, development and productivity. Proteome changes in the stem of the drought-tolerant common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar Tiber have were when the plants were exposed to drought. Five-week-old plants were subjected to water deficit by withholding irrigation for 7, 12 and 17days, whereas control plants were regularly irrigated. Relative water content (RWC) of leaves, as an indicator of the degree of cell and tissue hydration, showed the highest statistically significant differences between control and drought-stressed plants after 17days of treatment, where RWC remained at 90% for control and declined to 45% for stressed plants. Plants exposed to drought for 17days and control plants at the same developmental stage were included in quantitative proteomic analysis using in-gel stable isotope labeling of proteins in combination with mass spectrometry. The quantified proteins were grouped into several functional groups, mainly into energy metabolism, photosynthesis, proteolysis, protein synthesis and proteins related to defense and stress. 70kDa heat shock protein showed the greatest increase in abundance under drought of all the proteins, suggesting its role in protecting plants against stress by re-establishing normal protein conformations and thus cellular homeostasis. The abundance of proteins involved in protein synthesis also increased under drought stress, important for recovery of damaged proteins involved in the plant cell's metabolic activities. Other important proteins in this study were related to proteolysis and folding, which are necessary for maintaining proper cellular protein homeostasis. Taken together, these results reveal the complexity of pathways involved in the drought stress response in common bean stems and enable comparison with the results of proteomic analysis of leaves, thus providing important information to further understand the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of drought response in this important legume.

A Novel R2R3-MYB Transcription Factor BpMYB106 of Birch (Betula platyphylla) Confers Increased Photosynthesis and Growth Rate through Up-regulating Photosynthetic Gene Expression

We isolated a R2R3-MYB transcription factor BpMYB106, which regulates photosynthesis in birch (Betula platyphylla Suk.). BpMYB106 mainly expresses in the leaf and shoot tip of birch, and its protein is localized in the nucleus. We further fused isolated a 1588 bp promoter of BpMYB106 and analyzed it by PLACE, which showed some cis-acting elements related to photosynthesis. BpMYB106 promoter β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter fusion studies gene, the result, showed the GUS reporter gene in transgenic birch with BpMYB106 promoter showed strong activities in shoot tip, cotyledon margins, and mature leaf trichomes. The overexpression of BpMYB106 in birch resulted in significantly increased trichome density, net photosynthetic rate, and growth rate as compared with the wild-type birch. RNA-Seq profiling revealed the upregulation of several photosynthesis-related genes in the photosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation pathways in the leaves of transgenic plants. Yeast one-hybrid analysis, coupled with transient assay in tobacco, revealed that BpMYB106 binds a MYB binding site MYB2 in differentially expressed gene promoters. Thus, BpMYB106 may directly activate the expression of a range of photosynthesis related genes through interacting with the MYB2 element in their promoters. Our study demonstrating the overexpression of BpMYB106-a R2R3-MYB transcription factor-upregulates the genes of the photosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation pathways to improve photosynthesis.

The DnaJ OsDjA7/8 is essential for chloroplast development in rice (Oryza sativa)

DnaJ proteins belong to chaperones of Hsp40 family that ubiquitously participate in various cellular processes. Previous studies have shown chloroplast-targeted DnaJs are involved in the development of chloroplast in some plant species. However, little is known about the function of DnaJs in rice, one of the main staple crops. In this study, we characterized a type I DnaJ protein OsDjA7/8. We found that the gene OsDjA7/8 was expressed in all collected tissues, with a priority in the vigorous growth leaf. Subcellular localization revealed that the protein OsDjA7/8 was mainly distributed in chloroplast. Reduced expression of OsDjA7/8 in rice led to albino lethal at the seedling stage. Transmission electron microscopy observation showed that the chloroplast structures were abnormally developed in the plants silenced for OsDjA7/8. In addition, the transcriptional expression of the genes tightly associated with the development of chloroplast was deeply reduced in the plants silenced for OsDjA7/8. Collectively, our study reveals that OsDjA7/8 encodes a chloroplast-localized protein and is essential for chloroplast development and differentiation in rice.

Overexpression of the Maize psbA Gene Enhances Drought Tolerance Through Regulating Antioxidant System, Photosynthetic Capability, and Stress Defense Gene Expression in Tobacco

The psbA (encoding D1 protein) plays an important role in protecting photosystem II (PSII) from oxidative damage in higher plants. In our previous study, the role of the psbA from maize (Zea mays. L) in response to SO2 stress was characterized. To date, information about the involvement of the psbA gene in drought response is scarce. Here we found that overexpression (OE) of ZmpsbA showed increased D1 protein abundance and enhanced drought stress tolerance in tobacco. The drought-tolerant phenotypes of the OE lines were accompanied by increases of key antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, and POD activities, but decreases of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and ion leakage. Further investigation showed that the OE plants had much less reductions than the wild-type in the net photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and the maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) during drought stress; indicating that OE of ZmpsbA may alleviate photosynthesis inhibition during drought. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that there was significantly increased expression of NtLEA5, NtERD10C, NtAREB, and NtCDPK2 in ZmpsbA-OE lines. Together, our results indicate that ZmpsbA improves drought tolerance in tobacco possibly by alleviating photosynthesis reduction, reducing reactive oxygen species accumulation and membrane damage, and modulating stress defense gene expression. ZmpsbA could be exploited for engineering drought-tolerant plants in molecular breeding of crops.

A tiling microarray for global analysis of chloroplast genome expression in cucumber and other plants

Plastids are small organelles equipped with their own genomes (plastomes). Although these organelles are involved in numerous plant metabolic pathways, current knowledge about the transcriptional activity of plastomes is limited. To solve this problem, we constructed a plastid tiling microarray (PlasTi-microarray) consisting of 1629 oligonucleotide probes. The oligonucleotides were designed based on the cucumber chloroplast genomic sequence and targeted both strands of the plastome in a non-contiguous arrangement. Up to 4 specific probes were designed for each gene/exon, and the intergenic regions were covered regularly, with 70-nt intervals. We also developed a protocol for direct chemical labeling and hybridization of as little as 2 micrograms of chloroplast RNA. We used this protocol for profiling the expression of the cucumber chloroplast plastome on the PlasTi-microarray. Owing to the high sequence similarity of plant plastomes, the newly constructed microarray can be used to study plants other than cucumber. Comparative hybridization of chloroplast transcriptomes from cucumber, Arabidopsis, tomato and spinach showed that the PlasTi-microarray is highly versatile.