Expression of Carotenoid Biosynthetic Genes and Carotenoid Biosynthesis during Seedling Development of Momordica charantia

Carotenoids belong to a large group of secondary metabolites, and have pivotal roles in plants, including photosynthesis and phytohormone synthesis, pigmentation, and membrane stabilization. Additionally, carotenoids are potent antioxidants, and their health benefits are becoming increasingly prominent. In recent years, carotenoids have been studied in many plants. Furthermore, gene expression, as well as carotenoid accumulation in different parts of the bitter melon, has been investigated; however, it has not been studied in bitter melon seedlings. In this study, carotenoid accumulation and transcript levels of McGGPPS1, McGGPPS2, McPSY, McPDS, McZDS, McLCYB, McLCYE1, McLCYE2, McCXHB, and McZEP, involved in carotenoid biosynthesis, were analyzed during seedling development using HPLC and qRT-PCR. The major carotenoids that accumulated in the bitter melon seedlings were lutein and E-β-carotene. The expression of most carotenoid biosynthetic genes increased during seedling development, consistent with the accumulation of violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, 13Z-β-carotene, E-β-carotene, and 9Z-β-carotene in bitter melon seedlings. The results of this study provide a firm basis for comprehending the link between gene expression and carotenoid concentration in bitter melon seedlings.

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Effects of Exogenous Abscisic Acid (ABA) on Carotenoids and Petal Color in Osmanthus fragrans ‘Yanhonggui’

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9040454 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 454

Author(s):

Yucheng Liu ◽

Bin Dong ◽

Chao Zhang ◽

Liyuan Yang ◽

Yiguang Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Abscisic Acid ◽

Metabolic Pathway ◽

Carotenoid Biosynthesis ◽

Carotenoid Content ◽

Native Plant ◽

Total Carotenoids ◽

Osmanthus Fragrans ◽

Carotenoid Accumulation ◽

Β Carotene ◽

Carotenoid Degradation

Osmanthus fragrans is a well-known native plant in China, and carotenoids are the main group of pigments in the petals. Abscisic acid (ABA) is one of the products of the metabolic pathway of carotenoids. Application of ABA could affect pigmentation of flower petals by changing the carotenoid content. However, little is known about the effects of ABA treatment on carotenoid accumulation in O. fragrans. In this study, different concentrations of ABA (0, 150 and 200 mg/L) were spread on the petals of O. fragrans ‘Yanhonggui’. The petal color of ‘Yanhonggui’ receiving every ABA treatment was deeper than that of the control. The content of total carotenoids in the petals significantly increased with 200 mg/L ABA treatment. In the petals, α-carotene and β-carotene were the predominant carotenoids. The expression of several genes involved in the metabolism of carotenoids increased with 200 mg/L ABA treatment, including PSY1, PDS1, Z-ISO1, ZDS1, CRTISO, NCED3 and CCD4. However, the transcription levels of the latter two carotenoid degradation-related genes were much lower than of the five former carotenoid biosynthesis-related genes; the finding would explain the significant increase in total carotenoids in ‘Yanhonggui’ petals receiving the 200 mg/L ABA treatment.

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Comparative Carotenoid Accumulation and Retention in Near-isogenic rprp and RPRP Inbred Carrot Lines

Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science ◽

10.21273/jashs.127.2.284 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 127 (2) ◽

pp. 284-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

W.Y.L. Poon ◽

I.L. Goldman

Keyword(s):

Vegetative Growth ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Root Tissue ◽

Total Carotenoid ◽

Postharvest Storage ◽

Carotenoid Concentration ◽

Carotenoid Accumulation ◽

Rate Of Increase ◽

The Impact ◽

Β Carotene

The rp allele causes a significant reduction in total carotenoid pigmentation in carrot (Daucus carota L.) roots. The objective was to investigate the effect of rp on the composition, accumulation, and retention of carotenoids in two near-isolines of carrot, W266RPRP and W266rprp, during vegetative growth and postharvest storage. Field experiments were conducted during 1996 and 1997 in which roots were sampled weekly from 62 to 100 days after seed-sowing and biweekly during postharvest storage at 4 °C up to 386 days after sowing. Linear increases in total carotenoid concentration were observed for W266RPRP and W266rprp during vegetative growth. The average daily rate of increase in total carotenoid concentration in W266RPRP and in W266rprp was 12.7 and 1.3 mg·g-1 dry weight, respectively. A linear decrease in carotenoid concentration was measured for W266RPRP but not for W266rprp during postharvest storage. At 100 days after sowing, high-performance liquid chromatography analyses showed W266rprp had 20-fold lower concentrations of a-carotene and 50-fold lower concentrations of β-carotene in root tissue compared to W266RPRP. Levels of β-carotene and lutein in the first true leaves were reduced by ≈50% in W266rprp compared to W266RPRP. Results from this investigation suggest that the rp allele affects the concentration of root and foliage carotenoids, as well as the rate of carotenoid accumulation and degradation in carrot roots. The impact of the rp allele is far greater in root tissue than in foliage, suggesting it may act as a transcription factor or structural gene affecting primarily root carotenoid biosynthesis.

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Comparative transcriptome analysis implied a ZEP paralog was a key gene involved in carotenoid accumulation in yellow-fleshed sweetpotato

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-77293-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Keisuke Suematsu ◽

Masaru Tanaka ◽

Rie Kurata ◽

Yumi Kai

Keyword(s):

Rna Sequencing ◽

Transcriptome Analysis ◽

Carotenoid Biosynthesis ◽

Comparative Transcriptome ◽

Storage Roots ◽

Zeaxanthin Epoxidase ◽

Carotenoid Accumulation ◽

Carotenoid Composition ◽

Yellow Flesh ◽

Β Carotene

AbstractThe mechanisms of carotenoid accumulation in yellow-fleshed sweetpotato cultivars are unclear. In this study, we compared the transcriptome profiles of a yellow-fleshed cultivar, Beniharuka (BH) and two of its spontaneous white-fleshed mutants (WH2 and WH3) to reveal the genes involved in yellow flesh. As a result of RNA sequencing, a total of 185 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were commonly detected in WH2 and WH3 compared to BH. Of these genes, 85 DEGs and 100 DEGs were commonly upregulated and downregulated in WH2 and WH3 compared to BH, respectively. g1103.t1, a paralog of zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP), was only DEG common to WH2 and WH3 among 38 genes considered to be involved in carotenoid biosynthesis in storage roots. The expression level of g1103.t1 was also considerably lower in five white-fleshed cultivars than in five yellow-fleshed cultivars. Analysis of carotenoid composition in the storage roots showed that the epoxidised carotenoids were drastically reduced in both WH2 and WH3. Therefore, we propose that the ZEP paralog, g1103.t1, may be involved in carotenoid accumulation through the epoxidation of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin in sweetpotato.

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Expression of a Chromoplast-Specific Lycopene β-Cyclase Gene (CYC-B) Is Implicated in Carotenoid Accumulation and Coloration in the Loquat

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom9120874 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 874 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Min Hong ◽

Zhuo-Heng Chi ◽

Yong-Qing Wang ◽

Yue-Ming Tang ◽

Qun-Xian Deng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Metabolic Pathway ◽

Negative Control ◽

Carotenoid Content ◽

Virus Induced Gene Silencing ◽

Carotenoid Accumulation ◽

Homologous Genes ◽

Total Carotenoid Content ◽

The Difference ◽

Β Carotene

Carotenoids are the principal pigments in the loquat. Although the metabolic pathway of plant carotenoids has been extensively investigated, few studies have been explored the regulatory mechanisms of loquat carotenoids because knowledge of the loquat genome is incomplete. The chromoplast-specific lycopene β-cyclase gene (CYC-B) could catalyze cyclization of lycopene to β-carotene. In this study, the differential accumulation patterns of loquat with different colors were analyzed and virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) was utilized in order to verify CYC-B gene function. Using a cloning strategy of homologous genes, a CYC-B gene orthologue was successfully identified from the loquat. At a later stage of maturation, CYC-B gene expression and carotenoids concentrations in the ‘Dawuxing’ variety were higher than in ‘Chuannong 1-5-9′, possibly leading to the difference in pulp coloration of loquat. Interference of CYC-B gene expression in the loquat demonstrated clear visual changes. The green color in negative control fruits became yellow, while TRV2-CYC-B silenced fruits remained green. CYC-B gene expression and total carotenoid content in the pulp decreased by 32.5% and 44.1%, respectively. Furthermore, multiple key genes in the carotenoid metabolic pathway synergistically responded to downregulation of CYC-B gene expression. In summary, we provide direct evidences that CYC-B gene is involved in carotenoid accumulation and coloration in the loquat.

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An apple (Malus domestica) AP2/ERF transcription factor modulates carotenoid accumulation

Horticulture Research ◽

10.1038/s41438-021-00694-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Qingyuan Dang ◽

Haiyun Sha ◽

Jiyun Nie ◽

Yongzhang Wang ◽

Yongbing Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transcription Factor ◽

Malus Domestica ◽

Carotenoid Biosynthesis ◽

Carotenoid Content ◽

Ethylene Response Factor ◽

Biosynthesis Pathway ◽

Carotenoid Accumulation ◽

Carotenoid Biosynthesis Pathway ◽

Β Carotene ◽

Erf Transcription Factor

AbstractColor is an important trait for horticultural crops. Carotenoids are one of the main pigments for coloration and have important implications for photosynthesis in plants and benefits for human health. Here, we identified an APETALA2 (AP2)/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF) transcription factor named MdAP2-34 in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.). MdAP2-34 expression exhibited a close correlation with carotenoid content in ‘Benin Shogun’ and ‘Yanfu 3’ fruit flesh. MdAP2-34 promotes carotenoid accumulation in MdAP2-34-OVX transgenic apple calli and fruits by participating in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. The major carotenoid contents of phytoene and β-carotene were much higher in overexpressing MdAP2-34 transgenic calli and fruit skin, yet the predominant compound of lutein showed no obvious difference, indicating that MdAP2-34 regulates phytoene and β-carotene accumulation but not lutein. MdPSY2-1 (phytoene synthase 2) is a major gene in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway in apple fruit, and the MdPSY2-1 gene is directly bound and transcriptionally activated by MdAP2-34. In addition, overexpressing MdPSY2-1 in apple calli mainly increases phytoene and total carotenoid contents. Our findings will advance and extend our understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms of carotenoid biosynthesis in apple, and this research is valuable for accelerating the apple breeding process.

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Manipulation of Environmental Stress Towards Lutein Production in Chlorella fusca Cell Culture

Journal of Pharmacy and Nutrition Sciences ◽

10.29169/1927-5951.2019.09.05.3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 251-257

Author(s):

Rashidi Othman ◽

Norazian Mohd. Hassan ◽

Ainaa Eliah Abu Bakar ◽

Nur Hidayah Noh ◽

Nurrulhidayah Ahmad Fadzillah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Culture ◽

Drought Stress ◽

Environmental Stress ◽

Environmental Variables ◽

Metabolic Flux ◽

Experimental System ◽

Carotenoid Biosynthesis ◽

Chlorella Fusca ◽

Carotenoid Accumulation ◽

Media Formulation

All carotenoids originate from a single, common precursor, phytoene. The colour of carotenoids is determinedby desaturation, isomerization, cyclization, hydroxylation and epoxidation of the 40-carbon phytoene. The conjugated double-bond structure and nature of end ring groups confer on the carotenoids properties such as colour and antioxidant activity. Algae may become major sources of carotenoids but the extent of environmental stress and genetic influences on algae carotenoid biosynthesis are poorly understood. Carotenoid biosynthesis can be influenced by many aspects and is liable to geometric isomerization with the existence of oxygen, light and heat which affect the colour degradation and oxidation. Therefore, in this study carotenoid biogenesis is investigated in cell culture of Chlorella fusca as a potential model system for rapid initiation, and extraction of carotenoids by providing stringent control of genetic, developmental and environmental factors. The value of this experimental system for investigating key factors controlling the carotenoid accumulation is then tested by assessing the effects of environmental variables, such as drought stress, light intensity, nutrient strength and media formulation on carotenoid accumulation. Our findings revealed that the conversion of violaxanthin to lutein is due to irradiance stress condition, nutrient strength as well as drought stress. As a result, manipulation of environmental variables will up-regulate lutein concentration. This reaction will restrict the supply of precursors for ABA biosynthesis and the algae cell culture responds by increasing carotenogenic metabolic flux to compensate for this restriction. In conclusion, selecting the appropriate algae species for the appropriate environmental conditions is not only important for yield production, but also for nutritional value quality of carotenoid.

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Transcriptome Sequencing and Biochemical Analysis of Perianths and Coronas Reveal Flower Color Formation in Narcissus pseudonarcissus

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms19124006 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (12) ◽

pp. 4006 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xi Li ◽

Dongqin Tang ◽

Hui Du ◽

Yimin Shi

Keyword(s):

Flower Color ◽

Carotenoid Biosynthesis ◽

Carotenoid Content ◽

Rna Seq ◽

Color Formation ◽

Light Yellow ◽

Color Fading ◽

Narcissus Pseudonarcissus ◽

Bulbous Plant ◽

Β Carotene

Narcissus pseudonarcissus is an important bulbous plant with white or yellow perianths and light yellow to orange-red coronas, but little is known regarding the biochemical and molecular basis related to flower color polymorphisms. To investigate the mechanism of color formation, RNA-Seq of flower of two widely cultured cultivars (‘Slim Whitman’ and ‘Pinza’) with different flower color was performed. A total of 84,463 unigenes were generated from the perianths and coronas. By parallel metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses, we provide an overview of carotenoid biosynthesis, degradation, and accumulation in N. pseudonarcissus. The results showed that the content of carotenoids in the corona was higher than that in the perianth in both cultivars. Accordingly, phytoene synthase (PSY) transcripts have a higher abundance in the coronas than that in perianths. While the expression levels of carotenoid biosynthetic genes, like GGPPS, PSY, and LCY-e, were not significantly different between two cultivars. In contrast, the carotenoid degradation gene NpCCD4 was highly expressed in white-perianth cultivars, but was hardly detected in yellow-perianth cultivars. Silencing of NpCCD4 resulted in a significant increase in carotenoid accumulation, especially in all-trans-β-carotene. Therefore, we presume that NpCCD4 is a crucial factor that causes the low carotenoid content and color fading phenomenon of ‘Slim Whitman’ by mediating carotenoid turnover. Our findings provide mass RNA-seq data and new insights into carotenoid metabolism in N. pseudonarcissus.

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Gene expression response of mouse lung, liver and white adipose tissue to β-carotene supplementation, knockout of Bcmo1 and sex

Molecular Nutrition & Food Research ◽

10.1002/mnfr.201100194 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 55 (10) ◽

pp. 1466-1474 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Yvonne G. J. van Helden ◽

Roger W. L. Godschalk ◽

Johannes von Lintig ◽

Georg Lietz ◽

Jean-Francois Landrier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Adipose Tissue ◽

White Adipose Tissue ◽

Mouse Lung ◽

Gene Expression Response ◽

Expression Response ◽

Β Carotene

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Microscopic Analyses of Fruit Cell Plastid Development in Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) during Fruit Ripening

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules24030448 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 448 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pengjun Lu ◽

Ruqian Wang ◽

Changqing Zhu ◽

Xiumin Fu ◽

Shasha Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Ripening ◽

De Novo ◽

Microscopic Analysis ◽

Carotenoid Biosynthesis ◽

Direct Conversion ◽

Eriobotrya Japonica ◽

Plastid Development ◽

Carotenoid Accumulation ◽

The Relationship ◽

Late Stages

Plastids are sites for carotenoid biosynthesis and accumulation, but detailed information on fruit plastid development and its relation to carotenoid accumulation remains largely unclear. Here, using Baisha (BS; white-fleshed) and Luoyangqing (LYQ; red-fleshed) loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), a detailed microscopic analysis of plastid development during fruit ripening was carried out. In peel cells, chloroplasts turned into smaller chromoplasts in both cultivars, and the quantity of plastids in LYQ increased by one-half during fruit ripening. The average number of chromoplasts per peel cell in fully ripe fruit was similar between the two cultivars, but LYQ peel cell plastids were 20% larger and had a higher colour density, associated with the presence of larger plastoglobules. In flesh cells, chromoplasts could be observed only in LYQ during the middle and late stages of ripening, and the quantity on a per-cell basis was higher than that in peel cells, but the size of chromoplasts was smaller. It was concluded that chromoplasts are derived from the direct conversion of chloroplasts to chromoplasts in the peel, and from de novo differentiation of proplastids into chromoplasts in flesh. The relationship between plastid development and carotenoid accumulation is discussed.

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Alkaloid Biosynthesis in the Early Stages of the Germination of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae)

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10102226 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 2226

Author(s):

Jorge Xool-Tamayo ◽

Yahaira Tamayo-Ordoñez ◽

Miriam Monforte-González ◽

José Armando Muñoz-Sánchez ◽

Felipe Vázquez-Flota

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Tissue Distribution ◽

Early Development ◽

Transcriptional Activity ◽

Seedling Development ◽

Transport Systems ◽

Alkaloid Biosynthesis ◽

Argemone Mexicana ◽

Early Stages ◽

Low Levels

The synthesis of the benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, sanguinarine and berberine, was monitored in Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveracea) throughout the early stages of its hypocotyl and seedling development. Sanguinarine was detected in the cotyledons right after hypocotyl emergence, and it increased continuously until the apical hook unbent, prior to the cotyledonary leaves unfolding, when it abruptly fell. In the cotyledonary leaves, it also remained at low levels. Throughout development, berberine accumulation required the formation of cotyledonary leaves, whereas it was quickly detected in the hypocotyl from the time it emerged. Interestingly, the alkaloids detected in the cotyledons could have been imported from hypocotyls, because no transcriptional activity was detected in there. However, after turning into cotyledonary leaves, important levels of gene expression were noted. Taken together, these results suggest that the patterns of alkaloid tissue distribution are established from very early development, and might require transport systems.

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