Expression profile analysis of ascorbic acid-related genes in response to temperature stress in the tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze

Abstract

Ascorbic acid (AsA), also known as ascorbate or vitamin C, is a natural organic compound in green plants that has antioxidant properties, and is an essential nutrient for humans. The tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, is an important global economic crop. Here, the expression profiles of genes related to AsA biosynthesis and recycling were analyzed in tea plants in response to temperature stress. Eighteen genes involved in AsA biosynthesis and recycling pathways were identified based on the transcriptome database. The expression levels of CsPGI1 in two varieties of tea plants ('Yingshuang' and 'Huangjinya') increased, peaked at 4 h, and then decreased in response to cold stress. In 'Yingshuang', the genes involved in AsA biosynthesis pathway rapidly responded to heat stress and substantially increased their expression levels at 1 h. The expression levels of CsMDHAR, CsDHAR1, and CsDHAR2 increased sharply at 1 h in response to heat stress in 'Yingshuang'. In contrast, the expression levels of CsMDHAR, CsDHAR1, and CsDHAR2 in 'Huangjinya' gradually increased during heat treatment from 1 to 24 h. The expression trends of two DHAR isoforms differed in 'Huangjinya' during cold stress. The expression patterns of AsA-related genes differed in the different tea plant varieties and depended on temperature. The genes involved in AsA biosynthesis and recycling pathways were induced by heat and cold stress. Our study provides useful data with which to improve the resistance of tea plants to cold and heat stress.

Differentially expressed protein and gene analysis revealed the effects of temperature on changes in ascorbic acid metabolism in harvested tea leaves

“…In most plants, the gene expression levels involved in AsA metabolism are related to abiotic stress 69 , 70 . Although AsA metabolism-related genes were detected and identified in tea plants on the basis of transcriptome data and the expression of AsA metabolism-related genes in response to temperature stress was analyzed 23 , 29 , the expression patterns of AsA metabolism-related genes in tea leaves under different temperature stresses remain unclear.…”

“…Abiotic stresses, including adverse temperature conditions, affect the distribution and levels of AsA in higher plants 28 . High and low temperatures induce ascorbate peroxidase ( APX ) gene expression in tea plants 29 . Low temperatures induce ascorbate peroxidase 3 ( APX3 ) gene expression in Arabidopsis 30 .…”

Genome-Wide Analysis of the Biosynthesis and Deactivation of Gibberellin-Dioxygenases Gene Family in Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze

“…For the GA or ABA treatment, a freshly prepared working solution of 100 μM GA or ABA was sprayed on the leaves. For high- or low-temperature treatment, tea plants grown in plant growth chambers (temperature 25 °C ± 2 °C) were transferred to chambers maintained at 38 °C or 4 °C for 24 h [ 23 ]. The second and/or third mature leaves were obtained at 0, 4, 12 and 24 h under the above treatment for gene expression analysis.…”

Stress Responses of Shade-Treated Tea Leaves to High Light Exposure after Removal of Shading

“…ROS accumulation, oxidative damages, and upregulation of antioxidative defense systems have been observed under cold, salt, and drought stresses [19]. The responses of genes and proteins involved in AsA synthesis and metabolism under temperature stress have also been examined in tea plants [20,21]. In addition, the response of antioxidative enzymes to shading has been studied [22].…”