Overexpression of zeaxanthin epoxidase gene from Medicago sativa enhances the tolerance to low light in transgenic tobacco

• Authors: Yuman Cao , Zhiqiang Zhang , Tong Zhang , Zhang You , Jincai Geng , Yafang Wang , Tianming Hu , Peizhi Yang
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) plays an important role in xanthophyll cycle which is a process closely related to photosynthesis. However, an impact of ZEP on low-light stress has not been studied. In this study, the functions of an alfalfa (Medicago sativa) zeaxanthin epoxidase gene, MsZEP, in response to low-light stress were investigated by heterologous expression in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Under normal light conditions, the measured parameters were not significantly different between transgenic and wild-type (WT) plants except for non-photochemical quenching value and chlorophyll a content. However, the differences were detected under low-light stress. We found that MsZEP-overexpression tobacco grew faster than WT (p≤0.05). The leaf fresh weight and leaf area of transgenic plants were significantly higher, and the number of stomata was greater in MsZEP-overexpression tobacco. As for photosynthetic characteristics, quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII) and maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) were not significantly different, whereas non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) of MsZEP-overexpression tobacco were significantly higher than in WT plants. However, no significant difference was detected between the two types of tobacco in chlorophyll and carotenoids content. In conclusion, MsZEP can improve the ability of tobacco to withstand low-light stress, which might be due to its stronger photosynthetic activity and the improvement of stomatal density under low light.

Keywords

EN

Medicago sativa; low-light tolerance; zeaxanthin epoxidase; overexpression

• Publisher: Polish Biochemical Society
• Journal: Acta Biochimica Polonica
• Year: 2018
• Volume: 65
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 431-435

Dates

published

2018

received

2018-01-10

revised

2018-05-21

accepted

2018-07-15

(unknown)

2018-09-08

Contributors

author

Yuman Cao

• Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China

author

Zhiqiang Zhang

• College of Grassland Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, Inner Mongolia, 010000, China

author

Tong Zhang

• Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China

author

Zhang You

• Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China

author

Jincai Geng

• Grassland Management Station of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710016, China

author

Yafang Wang

• Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China

author

Tianming Hu

• Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China

author

Peizhi Yang

• Department of Grassland Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China

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Identifiers

DOI

10.18388/abp.2018_2551