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Expression of photosynthesis-related genes and their regulation by light during somatic embryogenesis in Daucus carota

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Abstract

To clarify the spatial and temporal pattern of gene expression for photosynthesis-associated proteins during somatic embryogenesis in Daucus carota L., the localization of mRNAs for three genes, rbcL, Lhcb and por, was examined in dark-grown and light-irradiated somatic embryos by in situ hybridization. The three mRNAs were expressed in common in the mesophyll precursor cells of light-irradiated embryos at the late torpedo and plantlet stages, but characteristic expression patterns of each photosynthesis-related gene were also observed. Expression of rbcL mRNA first occurred throughout the embryo but gradually became localized in the mesophyll precursor cells and cortex during early embryogenesis. Localization of Lhcb mRNA in the mesophyll precursor cells and shoot apical meristem became clear in the early torpedo stage. Expression of Lhcb mRNA was not affected by light during early embryogenesis, but could be induced by light in the torpedo stage, suggesting that light-inducible expression of Lhcb mRNA arises within the torpedo stage. At the late torpedo stage, clear localization of por mRNA started in mesophyll precursor cells of the cotyledon in light-irradiated embryos. Greening potency of the embryo also appeared first at this stage. Therefore, greening and initial differentiation of photosynthetic tissues during somatic embryogenesis seem to be associated with coordinated expression of mRNA for rbcL, Lhcb and por in late torpedo-shaped embryos.

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Abbreviations

DIG :

Digoxigenin

Lhcb3 :

Gene encoding a type-III light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein of photosystem II

LHCII :

Light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein of photosystem II

POR :

Protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase

rbcL :

Gene encoding the large subunit of Rubisco

Rubisco :

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase

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Acknowledgements

We thank Drs. Ryoichi Kawahara (The Plant Cell Bank of RIKEN, Tsukuba, Japan), Mitsuyasu Hasebe (National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan), Kuninori Iwamoto (The University of Tokyo) and Shigeru Sato (Oji-paper, Mie, Japan) for gifts of a carrot cell line, the rbcL and por primers for PCR, and a carrot cDNA library, respectively. We also thank Dr. Hiroshi Ezura (University of Tsukuba) for use of the equipment for cloning of the full-length cDNA of Lhcb3 and por1, Prof. Hitoshi Suzuki (Ishinomaki-Senshu University) for access to facilities for preparing the manuscript, and Ms. Kunie Tanaka (Photodynamics Research Center, RIKEN) for secretarial assistance. We are grateful to Dr. Ian Gleadall (Tohoku Bunka Gakuen University) for critical reading and comments on the manuscript. This work was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sport and Culture of Japan and from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, to H.F.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Photodynamics Research Center, RIKEN, 980-0845, Sendai, Japan

    Kumi Sato-Nara

  2. Plant Science Center, RIKEN, 230-0045, Yokohama, Japan

    Taku Demura & Hiroo Fukuda

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 113-0033, Tokyo, Japan

    Hiroo Fukuda

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  1. Kumi Sato-Nara
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  2. Taku Demura
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  3. Hiroo Fukuda
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Correspondence to Kumi Sato-Nara.

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Sato-Nara, K., Demura, T. & Fukuda, H. Expression of photosynthesis-related genes and their regulation by light during somatic embryogenesis in Daucus carota . Planta 219, 23–31 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-003-1201-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-003-1201-6

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