Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses Reveal the Regulatory Mechanisms of Photosynthesis in Developing Ginkgo biloba Leaves

Abstract

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is a deciduous tree species with high timber, medicinal, ecological, ornamental, and scientific values, and is widely cultivated worldwide. However, for such an important tree species, the regulatory mechanisms involved in the photosynthesis of developing leaves remain largely unknown. Here, we observed variations in light response curves (LRCs) and photosynthetic parameters (photosynthetic capacity (Pnmax) and dark respiration rate (Rd)) of leaves across different developmental stages. We found the divergence in the abundance of compounds (such as 3-phospho-d-glyceroyl phosphate, sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphate, and malate) involved in photosynthetic carbon metabolism. Additionally, a co-expression network was constructed to reveal 242 correlations between transcription factors (TFs) and photosynthesis-related genes (p < 0.05, |r| > 0.8). We found that the genes involved in the photosynthetic light reaction pathway were regulated by multiple TFs, such as bHLH, WRKY, ARF, IDD, and TFIIIA. Our analysis allowed the identification of candidate genes that most likely regulate photosynthesis, primary carbon metabolism, and plant development and as such, provide a theoretical basis for improving the photosynthetic capacity and yield of ginkgo trees.

Continuous Cropping Inhibits Photosynthesis of Polygonatum odoratum

“…The chlorophyll content and photosynthetic light response curves (LRC) are important indexes of photosynthesis activity in plants [16]. To investigate the photosynthetic response to the CMP in leaf tissues of P. odoratum, we analyzed the photosynthesis-related attributes.…”

Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis Reveals the Mechanism of Gibberellic Acid Regulates the Growth and Flavonoid Synthesis in Phellodendron chinense Schneid Seedlings

“…The photosynthesis apparatus consists of two key components: photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) which are multisubunit pigment-protein complexes that catalyze the light-driven water oxidation, electron transport, energy conversion, and state transition, but these processes are controlled by genes and regulated by exogenous GA 3 in plants [7,[36][37][38][39]. The exogenous GA 3 elevated the relative expression abundances of Pt-TUA6 and Pt-DRP4C genes, encoding important components of the chlorophyll division ring in leaves, concurrently improving the photosynthesis capacity and biomass of Populus tomentosa seedlings [36].…”

Molecular Mechanisms of Chlorophyll Deficiency in Ilex × attenuata ‘Sunny Foster’ Mutant

“…Due to impaired photosynthesis, the yellow NAU31 mutant had impaired chloroplast structure and reduced Chl and Car content [35]. Although, in recent years, ornamental plants have also witnessed the emergence of Chl-deficiency mutants, including species like G. biloba [36], Quercus shumardii [37], Ulmus pumila [38], Lagerstroemia indica [39], and Acer palmatum [40]. However, there is a paucity of comprehensive investigations into the molecular mechanisms underlying ornamental leaf color mutants.…”