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Zhang W, Ni K, Long L, Ruan J. Nitrogen transport and assimilation in tea plant ( Camellia sinensis): a review. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1249202. [PMID: 37810380 PMCID: PMC10556680 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1249202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for tea plants, as it contributes significantly to tea yield and serves as the component of amino acids, which in turn affects the quality of tea produced. To achieve higher yields, excessive amounts of N fertilizers mainly in the form of urea have been applied in tea plantations where N fertilizer is prone to convert to nitrate and be lost by leaching in the acid soils. This usually results in elevated costs and environmental pollution. A comprehensive understanding of N metabolism in tea plants and the underlying mechanisms is necessary to identify the key regulators, characterize the functional phenotypes, and finally improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Tea plants absorb and utilize ammonium as the preferred N source, thus a large amount of nitrate remains activated in soils. The improvement of nitrate utilization by tea plants is going to be an alternative aspect for NUE with great potentiality. In the process of N assimilation, nitrate is reduced to ammonium and subsequently derived to the GS-GOGAT pathway, involving the participation of nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). Additionally, theanine, a unique amino acid responsible for umami taste, is biosynthesized by the catalysis of theanine synthetase (TS). In this review, we summarize what is known about the regulation and functioning of the enzymes and transporters implicated in N acquisition and metabolism in tea plants and the current methods for assessing NUE in this species. The challenges and prospects to expand our knowledge on N metabolism and related molecular mechanisms in tea plants which could be a model for woody perennial plant used for vegetative harvest are also discussed to provide the theoretical basis for future research to assess NUE traits more precisely among the vast germplasm resources, thus achieving NUE improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Ni
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Xihu National Agricultural Experimental Station for Soil Quality, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lizhi Long
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianyun Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Xihu National Agricultural Experimental Station for Soil Quality, Hangzhou, China
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2
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Li H, Song K, Zhang X, Wang D, Dong S, Liu Y, Yang L. Application of Multi-Perspectives in Tea Breeding and the Main Directions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12643. [PMID: 37628823 PMCID: PMC10454712 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Tea plants are an economically important crop and conducting research on tea breeding contributes to enhancing the yield and quality of tea leaves as well as breeding traits that satisfy the requirements of the public. This study reviews the current status of tea plants germplasm resources and their utilization, which has provided genetic material for the application of multi-omics, including genomics and transcriptomics in breeding. Various molecular markers for breeding were designed based on multi-omics, and available approaches in the direction of high yield, quality and resistance in tea plants breeding are proposed. Additionally, future breeding of tea plants based on single-cellomics, pangenomics, plant-microbe interactions and epigenetics are proposed and provided as references. This study aims to provide inspiration and guidance for advancing the development of genetic breeding in tea plants, as well as providing implications for breeding research in other crops.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Long Yang
- College of Plant Protection and Agricultural Big-Data Research Center, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
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Xia J, Wang Y, Zhang T, Pan C, Ji Y, Zhou Y, Jiang X. Genome-wide identification, expression profiling, and functional analysis of ammonium transporter 2 (AMT2) gene family in cassava ( Manihot esculenta crantz). Front Genet 2023; 14:1145735. [PMID: 36911399 PMCID: PMC9992417 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1145735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Nitrogen (N), absorbed primarily as ammonium (NH4 +) from soil by plant, is a necessary macronutrient in plant growth and development. Ammonium transporter (AMT) plays a vital role in the absorption and transport of ammonium (NH4 +). Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) has a strong adaptability to nitrogen deprivation. However, little is known about the functions of ammonium transporter AMT2 in cassava. Methods: The cassava AMT2-type genes were identified and their characteristics were analyzed using bioinformatic techniques. The spatial expression patterns were analyzed based on the public RNA-seq data and their expression profiles under low ammonium treatment were studied using Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) method. The cassava AMT2 genes were transformed into yeast mutant strain TM31019b by PEG/LiAc method to investigate their functions. Results: Seven AMT2-type genes (MeAMT2.1-2.7) were identified in cassava and they were distributed on 6 chromosomes and included two segmental duplication events (MeAMT2.2/MeAMT2.4 and MeAMT2.3/MeAMT2.5). Based on their amino acid sequences, seven MeAMT2 were further divided into four subgroups, and each subgroup contained similar motif constitution and protein structure. Synteny analysis showed that two and four MeAMT2 genes in cassava were collinear with those in the Arabidopsis and soybean genomes, respectively. Sixteen types of cis-elements were identified in the MeAMT2 promoters, and they were related to light-, hormone-, stress-, and plant growth and development-responsive elements, respectively. Most of the MeAMT2 genes displayed tissue-specific expression patterns according to the RNA-seq data, of them, three MeAMT2 (MeAMT2.3, MeAMT2.5, and MeATM2.6) expressions were up-regulated under ammonium deficiency. Complementation experiments showed that yeast mutant strain TM31019b transformed with MeAMT2.3, MeAMT2.5, or MeATM2.6 grew better than untransgenic yeast cells under ammonium deficiency, suggesting that MeAMT2.3, MeAMT2.5, and MeATM2.6 might be the main contributors in response to ammonium deficiency in cassava. Conclusion: This study provides a basis for further study of nitrogen efficient utilization in cassava.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinze Xia
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China.,Xiangyang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xiangyang, China
| | - Chengcai Pan
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yiyin Ji
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Quality Regulation of Tropical Horticultural Crops of Hainan Province, School of Horticulture, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Xingyu Jiang
- National Center of Technology Innovation for Saline-Alkali Tolerant Rice, College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
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Genome-Wide Identification of AMT2-Type Ammonium Transporters Reveal That CsAMT2.2 and CsAMT2.3 Potentially Regulate NH 4+ Absorption among Three Different Cultivars of Camellia sinensis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415661. [PMID: 36555302 PMCID: PMC9779401 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ammonium (NH4+), as a major inorganic source of nitrogen (N) for tea plant growth, is transported and distributed across membranes by the proteins of ammonium transporters (AMTs). However, the AMT2-type AMTs from tea plants remain poorly understood. In this study, five CsAMT2 subfamily genes were identified in tea plant genomes, and their full-length coding sequences (CDS) were isolated from roots. Then, a NH4+ uptake kinetic comparison of Fudingdabaicha (FD), Huangdan (HD), and Maoxie (MX) showed that FD was a high N efficiency (HNE) cultivar that had a wide range of adaptability to NH4+, HD was a high N efficiency under high N conditions (HNEH) cultivar, in which it was easy to obtain higher yield in a high N environment, and MX was a high N efficiency under low N conditions (HNEL) cultivar, which had a higher affinity for NH4+ than the other two. Tissue-specific expression analysis suggested that CsAMT2.2 and CsAMT2.3 were highly expressed in the roots, indicating that these two members may be unique in the CsAMT2 subfamily. This is further supported by our findings from the temporal expression profiles in the roots among these three different N adaptation cultivars. Expression levels of CsAMT2.2 and CsAMT2.3 in FD and HD were upregulated by a short time (2 h) under high NH4+ treatment, while under low NH4+ treatment, CsAMT2.2 and CsAMT2.3 were highly expressed at 0 h and 2 h in the HNEL-type cultivar-MX. Furthermore, the functional analysis illustrated that CsAMT2.2 and CsAMT2.3 could make a functional complementation of NH4+-defective mutant yeast cells at low NH4+ levels, and the transport efficiency of CsAMT2.3 was higher than that of CsAMT2.2. Thus, we concluded that CsAMT2.2 and CsAMT2.3 might play roles in controlling the NH4+ uptake from the soil to the roots. These results will further the understanding of the NH4+ signal networks of AMT2-type proteins in tea plants.
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Wang Y, Ouyang JX, Fan DM, Wang SM, Xuan YM, Wang XC, Zheng XQ. Transcriptome analysis of tea ( Camellia sinensis) leaves in response to ammonium starvation and recovery. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:963269. [PMID: 36119592 PMCID: PMC9472221 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.963269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The tea plant is a kind of ammonium-preferring crop, but the mechanism whereby ammonium (NH4 +) regulate its growth is not well understood. The current study focused on the effects of NH4 + on tea plants. Transcriptomic analysis was performed to investigate the early- and late-stage NH4 + deprivation and resupply in tea plants shoots. Through short- and long-term NH4 + deficiency, the dynamic response to NH4 + stress was investigated. The most significant effects of NH4 + deficiency were found to be on photosynthesis and gene ontology (GO) enrichment varied with the length of NH4 + deprivation. Enriched KEGG pathways were also different when NH4 + was resupplied at different concentrations which may indicate reasons for tolerance of high NH4 + concentration. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), modules related to significant tea components, tea polyphenols and free amino acids, were identified. Hence, NH4 + could be regarded as a signaling molecule with the response of catechins shown to be higher than that of amino acids. The current work represents a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of plant responses to NH4 + and reveals many potential genes regulated by NH4 + in tea plants. Such findings may lead to improvements in nitrogen efficiency of tea plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Xue Ouyang
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dong-Mei Fan
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Mao Wang
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Min Xuan
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Chang Wang
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Dafo Longjing, Xinchang, China
| | - Xin-Qiang Zheng
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Tea Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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She G, Yu S, Li Z, Peng A, Li P, Li Y, Chang M, Liu L, Chen Q, Shi C, Sun J, Zhao J, Wan X. Characterization of CsTSI in the Biosynthesis of Theanine in Tea Plants ( Camellia sinensis). JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:826-836. [PMID: 35029385 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c04816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Theanine is a unique major amino acid in tea plants responsible for umami taste and mental health benefits of tea. However, theanine biosynthesis and physiological role in tea plants are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that tea plant theanine synthetase is encoded by a glutamine synthetase gene CsTSI. The expression pattern of CsTSI is closely correlated with theanine and glutamine levels in various tissues. CsTSI transcripts were accumulated in root tip epidermal cells, pericycle and procambial cells, where CsTSI presents as a cytosolic protein. Ectopic expression of the gene in Arabidopsis led to greater glutamine and theanine production than controls when fed with ethylamine (EA). RNAi knockdown or overexpression of CsTSI in tea plant hairy roots reduced or enhanced theanine and glutamine contents, respectively, compared with controls. The CsTSI recombinant enzymes used glutamate as an acceptor and ammonium or EA as a donor to synthesize glutamine and theanine, respectively. CsTSI expression in tea roots responded to nitrogen supply and deprivation and was correlated with theanine contents. This study provides fresh insights into the molecular basis for the biosynthesis of theanine, which may facilitate the breeding of high-theanine tea plants for improving the nutritional benefit of tea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangbiao She
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, College of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Shuwei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, College of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Zhenguo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, College of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Anqi Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, College of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Penghui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, College of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Yingying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, College of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Manman Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, College of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Linlin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, College of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Qi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, College of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Chengying Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, College of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Jun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, College of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Jian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, College of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Xiaochun Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, College of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
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7
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Wang Y, Xuan YM, Wang SM, Fan DM, Wang XC, Zheng XQ. Genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression analysis of the ammonium transporter gene family in tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.). PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2022; 174:e13646. [PMID: 35129836 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As a preferred nitrogen form, ammonium (NH4 + ) transport via specific transporters is particularly important for the growth and development of tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.). However, our understanding of the functions of the AMT family in tea plants is limited. We identified and named 16 putative AMT genes according to phylogenetic analysis. All CsAMT genes were divided into three groups, distributed on 12 chromosomes with only one segmental duplication repetition. The CsAMT genes showed different expression levels in different organs, and most of them were expressed mainly in the apical buds and roots. Complementation analysis of yeast mutants showed that CsAMTs restored the uptake of NH4 + . This study provides insights into the genome-wide distribution and spatial expression of AMT genes in tea plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Tea Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Min Xuan
- Tea Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Mao Wang
- Tea Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dong-Mei Fan
- Tea Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Chang Wang
- Tea Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin-Qiang Zheng
- Tea Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Zhang F, He W, Yuan Q, Wei K, Ruan L, Wang L, Cheng H. Transcriptome analysis identifies CsNRT genes involved in nitrogen uptake in tea plants, with a major role of CsNRT2.4. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2021; 167:970-979. [PMID: 34571390 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Tea trees have a high demand for nitrogen (N) fertilizer to improve the yield and quality of tea. In this research, transcriptome analysis revealed the effect of N starvation and resupply upon N uptake in tea plants. We identified 4098 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were significantly enriched in amino acid and N metabolism and were extensively mapped to the tea genome. The CsNRT gene family plays vital roles in the nitrogen uptake of tea plants. The full CDS sequences of CsNRT1.1, CsNRT1.2, CsNRT1.5, CsNRT1.7, CsNRT2.4, CsNRT2.5, CsNRT3.1 and CsNRT3.2 were cloned. One-year-old cutting seedlings of Zhongcha302 (ZC302) were selected for hydroponic culture and were used for gene expression analysis. The seedlings were resupplied with 0.2 and 2 mM N after N starvation. The results of the gene expression under different N treatments and in various tissues indicated that the expression of CsNRT2.4 was highly expressed in tea roots and was greatly induced by N. Overexpressed CsNRT2.4 in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana increased the root lengths and fresh weights and improved the NO3- uptake rate in the Arabidopsis roots at a low NO3- level. Thus, we inferred that CsNRT2.4 was a key gene for N uptake in tea plant roots. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of tea plant responses to N resupply and reveals hub genes for improving nitrogen usage efficiency (NUE) in tea plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Zhang
- Department of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Qingyun Yuan
- Department of Horticulture, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Kang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Tea Improvement, Tea Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Li Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Tea Improvement, Tea Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Liyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Tea Improvement, Tea Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China.
| | - Hao Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Tea Improvement, Tea Research Institute Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China.
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Wang Y, Wang YM, Lu YT, Qiu QL, Fan DM, Wang XC, Zheng XQ. Influence of different nitrogen sources on carbon and nitrogen metabolism and gene expression in tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.). PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2021; 167:561-566. [PMID: 34454315 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2021.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen plays an important role in plant growth and development, with different nitrogen forms also having an impact on carbon/nitrogen metabolism. Unlike most plants, tea plants prefer ammonium over nitrate. In this paper, we focused on how different nitrogen sources regulate the carbon/nitrogen metabolism in tea plants. Tea seedlings of 'Longjing 43' were cultivated hydroponically in four different solutions (zero-nitrogen, only NH4+, only NO3- and mixed nitrogen (NH4+: NO3- = 1:1). We analyzed characteristic components of tea plants and related genes in carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Tea polyphenols and catechins representing carbon pool, increased when NO3- was supplied as the nitrogen source, and similar findings were recorded in the zero-nitrogen treatment. The expression of most catechins biosynthesis-related genes was up regulated under NO3- and zero-N treatment, that was associated with tea polyphenols and catechins changes. Compared with NO3- as the nitrogen source, NH4+ and mixed nitrogen treatments had a positive effect on the accumulation of amino acids, especially theanine, glutamate and arginine, and these components contribute to the freshness flavor of tea. The expression of ammonium-assimilation genes was also up-regulated with NH4+ supply. Under mixed nitrogen treatment, the ratio of total polyphenols to free amino acids (PP/AA) was between sole NH4+ and NO3- supply. Therefore, compared with single nitrogen source, carbon and nitrogen metabolism of tea plant was more balanced under mixed nitrogen treatment. The results suggested that NO3- as the nitrogen source promoted the biosynthesis of catechins enriching the carbon pool, whereas NH4+ supply was more conducive to nitrogen metabolism, indicating that different nitrogen sources could affect the carbon and nitrogen balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Tea Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Yin-Mao Wang
- Tea Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya-Ting Lu
- Tea Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin-Li Qiu
- Tea Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-Mei Fan
- Tea Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Chang Wang
- Tea Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xin-Qiang Zheng
- Tea Research Institute, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China.
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Tang D, Liu MY, Zhang Q, Fan K, Ruan J. Isolation and characterization of chloroplastic glutamine synthetase gene (CsGS2) in tea plant Camellia sinensis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2020; 155:321-329. [PMID: 32798900 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is an ammonium preferring plant species. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying this preference. Herein, a chloroplastic glutamine synthetase gene (CsGS2), which is vital for nitrogen assimilation in mesophyll tissue, was isolated from tea cultivar C. sinensis cv. 'Longjing43'. The full length cDNA of CsGS2 was 1622 bp, having a 1299 bp open reading frame encoding a 432-amino acid protein. Homology search and sequence analysis demonstrated that CsGS2 protein carried the basic characteristics of a canonical GS2 domain and shared high identity with GS2s from other plant species. Subcellular localization and immunolocalization of CsGS2 revealed that it is localized in chloroplast. qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses showed that CsGS2 was expressed in a leaf-specific pattern, such that both CsGS2 and its protein were most abundant in mature leaves. Temporal expression patterns of CsGS2 showed minor differences in response to ammonium and nitrate nutrition. The transcript level of CsGS2 was significantly induced in mature leaves during the development of new shoots, whereas darkness inhibited this induction significantly. These results suggested that CsGS2 does not play a role in the differential utilization mechanisms of differing nitrogen forms in tea, and imply a light dependent transcription regulation in mature leaves during the development of new shoots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Tang
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture), Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310008, China; Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Mei-Ya Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture), Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310008, China.
| | - Qunfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture), Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310008, China.
| | - Kai Fan
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture), Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310008, China.
| | - Jianyun Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture), Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310008, China.
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11
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Zhang X, Liu H, Pilon-Smits E, Huang W, Wang P, Wang M, Guo F, Wang Y, Li R, Zhao H, Ni D. Transcriptome-Wide Analysis of Nitrogen-Regulated Genes in Tea Plant ( Camellia sinensis L. O. Kuntze) and Characterization of Amino Acid Transporter CsCAT9.1. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9091218. [PMID: 32957496 PMCID: PMC7569990 DOI: 10.3390/plants9091218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The vigor of tea plants (Camellia sinensis) and tea quality are strongly influenced by the abundance and forms of nitrogen, principally NO3−, NH4+, and amino acids. Mechanisms to access different nitrogen sources and the regulatory cues remain largely elusive in tea plants. A transcriptome analysis was performed to categorize differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in roots and young leaves during the early response to four nitrogen treatments. Relative to the continuously nitrogen-replete control, the three nitrogen-deprived and resupplied treatments shared 237 DEGs in the shoots and 21 DEGs in the root. Gene-ontology characterization revealed that transcripts encoding genes predicted to participate in nitrogen uptake, assimilation, and translocation were among the most differentially expressed after exposure to the different nitrogen regimes. Because of its high transcript level regardless of nitrogen condition, a putative amino acid transporter, TEA020444/CsCAT9.1, was further characterized in Arabidopsis and found to mediate the acquisition of a broad spectrum of amino acids, suggesting a role in amino acid uptake, transport, and deposition in sinks as an internal reservoir. Our results enhance our understanding of nitrogen-regulated transcript level patterns in tea plants and pinpoint candidate genes that function in nitrogen transport and metabolism, allowing tea plants to adjust to variable nitrogen environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinwan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (X.Z.); (H.L.); (W.H.); (P.W.); (M.W.); (F.G.); (Y.W.); (D.N.)
- College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Hongling Liu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (X.Z.); (H.L.); (W.H.); (P.W.); (M.W.); (F.G.); (Y.W.); (D.N.)
- College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | | | - Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (X.Z.); (H.L.); (W.H.); (P.W.); (M.W.); (F.G.); (Y.W.); (D.N.)
- College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Pu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (X.Z.); (H.L.); (W.H.); (P.W.); (M.W.); (F.G.); (Y.W.); (D.N.)
- College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Mingle Wang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (X.Z.); (H.L.); (W.H.); (P.W.); (M.W.); (F.G.); (Y.W.); (D.N.)
- College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Fei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (X.Z.); (H.L.); (W.H.); (P.W.); (M.W.); (F.G.); (Y.W.); (D.N.)
- College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (X.Z.); (H.L.); (W.H.); (P.W.); (M.W.); (F.G.); (Y.W.); (D.N.)
- College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ruiyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of information and computing science Guizhou Province, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China;
| | - Hua Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (X.Z.); (H.L.); (W.H.); (P.W.); (M.W.); (F.G.); (Y.W.); (D.N.)
- College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Dejiang Ni
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (X.Z.); (H.L.); (W.H.); (P.W.); (M.W.); (F.G.); (Y.W.); (D.N.)
- College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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Zhang F, Wang L, Bai P, Wei K, Zhang Y, Ruan L, Wu L, Cheng H. Identification of Regulatory Networks and Hub Genes Controlling Nitrogen Uptake in Tea Plants [ Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze]. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2020; 68:2445-2456. [PMID: 31899627 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b06427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) uptake, as the first step of N metabolism, is a key limiting factor for plant growth. To understand the gene expression networks that control N absorption and metabolism in tea plants, we analyzed transcriptomes in the young roots of two groups of tea plants with significantly different growth rates under different N treatments (0, 0.2, and 2 mM). Using pairwise comparisons and weighted gene co-expression network analyses (WGCNA), we successfully constructed 16 co-expression modules. Among them, a specific module (turquoise) that substantially responded to the low N treatment was identified. Based on KEGG analysis, the relative genes that enriched in the "N metabolism" pathways were used to construct gene co-expression networks of N metabolism. Finally, a high-affinity ammonium (NH4+) transporter designated CsAMT1.2 was identified as a hub gene in the N metabolism network in tea plant roots and the gene expression could be highly induced by N resupply. The gene functional analysis revealed that CsAMT1.2 could make functional complementation of MEP1, MEP2, and MEP3 genes in 31019b yeast cells and improve NH4+ uptake rate in 31019b at low NH4+ level. Thus, CsAMT1.2 was a key gene controlling N uptake in tea plants and might play a vital role in promoting NH4+ uptake from the environment in tea roots. This study provided a useful foundation for improving the NUE in tea plantations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Tea Improvement, Tea Research Institute , Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , 9 Meiling South Road , Hangzhou 310008 , China
| | - Liyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Tea Improvement, Tea Research Institute , Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , 9 Meiling South Road , Hangzhou 310008 , China
| | - Peixian Bai
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Tea Improvement, Tea Research Institute , Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , 9 Meiling South Road , Hangzhou 310008 , China
| | - Kang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Tea Improvement, Tea Research Institute , Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , 9 Meiling South Road , Hangzhou 310008 , China
| | - Yazhen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Tea Improvement, Tea Research Institute , Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , 9 Meiling South Road , Hangzhou 310008 , China
| | - Li Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Tea Improvement, Tea Research Institute , Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , 9 Meiling South Road , Hangzhou 310008 , China
| | - Liyun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Tea Improvement, Tea Research Institute , Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , 9 Meiling South Road , Hangzhou 310008 , China
| | - Hao Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, National Center for Tea Improvement, Tea Research Institute , Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , 9 Meiling South Road , Hangzhou 310008 , China
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13
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Tang D, Liu MY, Zhang Q, Ma L, Shi Y, Ruan J. Preferential assimilation of NH 4+ over NO 3- in tea plant associated with genes involved in nitrogen transportation, utilization and catechins biosynthesis. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 291:110369. [PMID: 31928660 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.110369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Physiological effects of ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) on tea have confirmed that tea plants prefer NH4+ as the dominant nitrogen (N) source. To investigate the possible explanations for this preference, studies of 15NH4+ and 15NO3- assimilation using hydroponically grown tea plants were conducted. During the time course of 15NH4+ and 15NO3- assimilation, the absorption of 15N from 15NH4+ was more rapid than that from 15NO3-, as there was a more efficient expression pattern of NH4+ transporters compared with that of NO3- transporters. 15NH4+-fed tea plants accumulated more 15N than 15NO3- fed plants, which was demonstrated by that genes related to primary N assimilation, like CsNR, CsNiR, CsGDH and CsGOGAT, were more affected by 15NH4+ than 15NO3-. Markedly higher NH4+ concentrations were observed in 15NH4+-fed tea roots in comparison with NO3- treatment, whereas tea plants maintained a balanced concentration of NH4+ in tea leaves under both these two N forms. This maintenance was achieved through the increased expression of genes involved in theanine biosynthesis and the inhibition of genes related to catechins derived from phenylpropanoid pathway. The current results suggest that efficient NH4+ transportation, assimilation, and reutilization enables tea plant as an ammonium preferring plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Tang
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture), Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China; Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Mei-Ya Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture), Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China.
| | - Qunfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture), Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Lifeng Ma
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture), Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Yuanzhi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture), Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Jianyun Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Resources Utilization (Ministry of Agriculture), Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China
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14
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Tai Y, Ling C, Wang H, Yang L, She G, Wang C, Yu S, Chen W, Liu C, Wan X. Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Regulatory Mechanisms of Theanine Synthesis in Tea ( Camellia sinensis) and Oil Tea ( Camellia oleifera) Plants. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:10235-10244. [PMID: 31436988 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b02295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Tea provides a rich taste and has healthy properties due to its variety of bioactive compounds, such as theanine, catechins, and caffeine. Theanine is the most abundant free amino acid (40%-70%) in tea leaves. Key genes related to theanine biosynthesis have been studied, but relatively little is known about the regulatory mechanisms of theanine accumulation in tea leaves. Herein, we analyzed theanine content in tea (Camellia sinensis) and oil tea (Camellia oleifera) and found it to be higher in the roots than in other tissues in both species. The theanine content was significantly higher in tea than oil tea. To explore the regulatory mechanisms of theanine accumulation, we identified genes involved in theanine biosynthesis by RNA-Seq analysis and compared theanine-related modules. Moreover, we cloned theanine synthase (TS) promoters from tea and oil tea plants and found that a difference in TS expression and cis-acting elements may explain the difference in theanine accumulation between the two species. These data provide an important resource for regulatory mechanisms of theanine accumulation in tea plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chun Liu
- BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen , Shenzhen 518083 , China
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