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Ectopic expression of a Citrus kinokuni β-carotene hydroxylase gene (chyb) promotes UV and oxidative stress resistance by metabolic engineering of zeaxanthin in tobacco

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Abstract

To investigate the biological function of zeaxanthin under UV light and oxidative stress we have increased its biosynthesis capacity in tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum cv. SR-1) by transformation with Citrus kinokuni β-carotene hydroxylase gene (chyb) under constitutive promoter control. The chyb transformants synthesized zeaxanthin about 30% more than the controls under UV irradiation. For revelation of direct effects, pigment composition, chlorophyll fluorescence, and photosynthesis were detected immediately after UV treatment. Pre-illuminated chyb transgenics showed higher photosynthesis (NPQ capacity and Fv / Fm ratio of chyb transformants about 50% more than the controls). In addition, the transgenic plants showed less lipid peroxidation (MDA level was reduced about 40%) and the SOD activity was about 1.5 times of the control plants. Furthermore, the methylviologen treatment assay (more than 60% of chlorophyll in the chyb transformants) suggested that the transgenic plants suffered less oxidative damage than the controls. Our results indicate that enhancing zeaxanthin amount in plant cell contributes to UV and oxidative stress protection.

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Abbreviations

Chyb :

β-carotene hydroxylase gene

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

MS medium:

Murashige–Skoog medium

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

MV:

Methylviologen

TAE:

Tris-acetate-EDTA

qPCR:

Quantitative real-time PCR

HPLC:

High-performance liquid chromatography

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Tianjin Municipal Education Commission (Grant number: 20140605).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Agronomy and Resources and Environment, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300384, People’s Republic of China

    Jiang Wu, Xuedong Ji, Shenhong Tian, Shaoxia Wang & Huarong Liu

Authors
  1. Jiang Wu
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  2. Xuedong Ji
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  3. Shenhong Tian
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  4. Shaoxia Wang
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  5. Huarong Liu
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Contributions

Jiang Wu conceived and designed the study. Jiang Wu, Xuedong Ji, Shenhong Tian, Shaoxia Wang and Huarong Liu performed the experiments. Jiang Wu wrote the paper. Jiang Wu reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jiang Wu.

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Wu, J., Ji, X., Tian, S. et al. Ectopic expression of a Citrus kinokuni β-carotene hydroxylase gene (chyb) promotes UV and oxidative stress resistance by metabolic engineering of zeaxanthin in tobacco. 3 Biotech 8, 450 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-018-1440-7

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