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Correlation of Ascorbic Acid Content and the Pattern of Monodehydroascorbate Reductases (MDHARs) Gene Expression in Leek (Allium porrum L.)

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Abstract

In this study, the content of ascorbic acid and the expression pattern of MDHAR1, MDHAR4, and MDHAR5 monodehydroascorbate reductase genes were determined in various parts of leek plants (Allium porrum L.), which were collected as they grow (in July and October). In the leaves of all analyzed cultivars, the ascorbate content was higher than in the pseudo-stem (2.3–3.7 times in July and 2.1–4.1 times in October). MDHAR transcripts were found in all analyzed parts of leeks. Leaves and pseudo-stems were characterized by high levels of expression of all three MDHAR genes. A similar transcription level was observed in July and October for the MDHAR5 gene in all parts of the plant. Two different patterns of gene expression, depending on the collection time point, for the MDHAR4 gene were observed. It was found that the analyzed leek cultivars exhibit similar MDHAR1 and MDHAR4 expression dynamics during the formation of the pseudo-stem. At the same time, the MDHAR4 transcription level positively correlates with the content of ascorbic acid in the white part and green leaves of leek plants.

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Funding

This research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in accordance with agreement № 075-15-2020-907 of 16.11.2020 on providing a grant in the form of subsidies from the Federal budget of Russian Federation. The grant was provided for state support for the creation and development of a World-class Scientific Center “Agrotechnologies for Future”.

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  1. Institute of Bioengineering, Federal Research Center Fundamentals of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    M. A. Filyushin, O. K. Anisimova, E. Z. Kochieva & A. V. Shchennikova

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  1. M. A. Filyushin
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  2. O. K. Anisimova
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  3. E. Z. Kochieva
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  4. A. V. Shchennikova
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Correspondence to M. A. Filyushin.

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Filyushin, M.A., Anisimova, O.K., Kochieva, E.Z. et al. Correlation of Ascorbic Acid Content and the Pattern of Monodehydroascorbate Reductases (MDHARs) Gene Expression in Leek (Allium porrum L.). Russ J Plant Physiol 68, 849–856 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1021443721050034

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