Unravelling the physiological and molecular mechanisms of leaf color change in Acer griseum through multi-omics analysis
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Paperbark maple ( Acer griseum ), an endemic and endangered wild plant in China, has red-colored autumn leaves of high ornamental and garden application value. Leaf color change serves as a crucial indicator for evaluating garden tree aesthetics; however, research on A. griseum's leaf color change remains limited. This study aims to elucidate the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying leaf color change in maple leaves through physiological, transcriptional, and metabolic assays. Data analysis encompasses gene expression levels and metabolite changes in three distinct states of maple leaves: green, half-red, and red. The progessive decrease of chlorophyll and carotenoids and the continuous accumulation of anthocyanidins caused a sharp change in leaf coloration, which was most drastic in the green to half-red period. Subsequently, targeted metabolomics analysis was performed, and a total of 71 anthocyanidins were detected, and the content of eight types of anthocyanidins increased significantly in the half-red and red periods, compared with that in the green period; of which the multiplicative difference was the largest for cyanidin-3,5-O diglucoside, delivering the largest multiplicative difference. Thus, it was plausible that cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside-dominated compoundswere likely to be the main metabolites associated with leaf reddening. Correlation analysis revealed that 12 key transcription factors (TFs) were significantly correlated with the anthocyanin-related metabolites and structural genes, which play important regulatory roles during the biosynthesis of anthocyanosides in A. griseum . These findings offered useful insights into the molecular basis of leaf color variation in A. griseum ; providing valuable information to guide targeted genetic breeding and varietal improvement strategies. • Anthocyanidin accumulation drives the dramatic colour shifts from green to red in Acer griseum ( Paperbark maple). • Cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside was identified as the key metabolite regulating the foliar colour shifts from green to red. • Twelve transcription factors were identified to be involved in regulating the anthocyanin biosynthesis process in A. griseum .
Authors: Huizhen Fan, Huimin Liao, Yingxue Shen, Md Nasir Hossain Sani, Jean Wan Hong Yong, Junyang Song
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,870
Funder: Northwest A and F University
OpenAlex ID: W4403464167