Genome‐wide identification of the light‐harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding (Lhc) family in Gossypium hirsutum reveals the influence of GhLhcb2.3 on chlorophyll a synthesis

Abstract

Light‐harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding (Lhc) family proteins play a significant role in photosynthetic processes. Our objective was systematic identification and analysis of the Lhc family in cotton, as well as the relationship between Lhc family genes and chlorophyll synthesis during photosynthetic processes. We used genome‐wide identification, phylogenetic analysis, chromosomal distribution and collinearity to examine potential functions of Lhc superfamily genes in upland cotton. Subcellular localization, qRT‐PCR, a yeast two hybrid (Y2H) , and Virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) experiment were used to explore function of GhLhcb2.3. Focusing on GhLhc family, gene structural analysis of G. hirsutum Lhc family genes (GhLhc) indicated the conservation of selected Lhc family members. The expression pattern of GhLhc proteins shows that Lhc family proteins are important for photosynthetic processes in leaves. Results of subcellular localization and qRT‐PCR in different cotton varieties showed that GhLhcb2.3 is closely related to chloroplast chlorophyll. Y2H found extensive heteromeric interactions between the GhLhcb2.3 and GhLhcb1.4. Subcellular localization revealed that GhLhcb1.4 is located in chloroplasts. VIGS showed that GhLhcb2.3 influenced chlorophyll a synthesis. We comprehensively identified Lhc family genes in cotton, characterized these genes and reveal the influence of GhLhcb2.3 on chlorophyll a synthesis.

Genome-Wide Identification of the LHC Gene Family in Kiwifruit and Regulatory Role of AcLhcb3.1/3.2 for Chlorophyll a Content

“…Still, no significant change was found in the content of chlorophyll b. This result is consistent with GhLhcb2.3 influence on the synthesis of chlorophyll a [ 9 ]. In contrast, AcLhcb1.5 did not affect chlorophyll content in tobacco leaves ( Figure 6 ).…”

“…Breeders have long been interested in the metabolism of chlorophylls because of their crucial role in plant growth and development and human health [ 2 , 42 ]. Similar to previous findings [ 9 , 43 ], the AcLhcb3.1/3.2 genes regulated chlorophyll content under biotic and abiotic stress. In tomatoes, researchers have reported that all the suffulta mutants for chlorophyll were segregated in the recessive mendelian manner in a reciprocal backcross with wild type plants [ 44 ].…”

“…A previous report suggested that the application of CO 2 improved the chlorophyll content by upregulating chlorophyll-related genes, particularly LHCs , in cucumber plants [ 20 ]. The LHC family members have been identified in different plant species, i.e., 34 in Arabidopsis , 29 in Oryza sativa , 28 in Carica papaya , 55 in Gossypium hirsutum , 35 in Manihot esculenta , and 28 in Ricinus communis [ 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. In the present study, we performed the genome-wide analysis of LHC gene family members in two different diploid kiwifruit species (Ac and Ae) and identified 42 LHC genes in Ac and 45 LHC genes in Ae ( Table S1 ).…”

“…The chlorophyll a/b binding domain (PF00504) is widely found in LHC superfamily members in plant species [ 7 ]. So far, LHC superfamily members have been identified in different plant species, including Arabidopsis , Oryza sativa , Carica papaya , Gossypium hirsutum , Manihot esculenta , and Ricinus communis [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Pivotal Role of Phytohormones and Their Responsive Genes in Plant Growth and Their Signaling and Transduction Pathway under Salt Stress in Cotton

“…Moreover, the Lhc genes family, particularly Lhcb2 and Lhcb1, in Arabidopsis has been widely studied [131], but most of the Lhc family genes are still unknown in cotton thus far [125]. The previous research showed that cotton tetraploid species (Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium barbadense), and their two ancestral diploid species (Gossypium raimondii and Gossypium arboreum), have been frequently used to identify the cotton genes family [24,[132][133][134].…”