Expression of ZjPSY, a Phytoene Synthase Gene from Zoysia japonica Affects Plant Height and Photosynthetic Pigment Contents

Abstract

Phytoene synthase (PSY) is a key limiting enzyme in the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway for regulating phytoene synthesis. In this study, ZjPSY was isolated and identified from Zoysia japonica, an important lawn grass species. ZjPSY cDNA was 1230 bp in length, corresponding to 409 amino acids. ZjPSY showed higher expression in young leaves and was downregulated after GA3, ABA, SA, and MeJA treatments, exhibiting a sensitivity to plant hormones. Regulatory elements of light and plant hormone were found in the upstream of ZjPSY CDS. Expression of ZjPSY in Arabidopsis thaliana protein led to carotenoid accumulation and altered expression of genes involved in the carotenoid pathway. Under no-treatment condition, salt treatment, and drought treatment, transgenic plants exhibited yellowing, dwarfing phenotypes. The carotenoid content of transgenic plants was significantly higher than that of wild-type under salt stress and no-treatment condition. Yeast two-hybrid screening identified a novel interacting partner ZjJ2 (DNAJ homologue 2), which encodes heat-shock protein 40 (HSP40). Taken together, this study suggested that ZjPSY may affect plant height and play an important role in carotenoid synthesis. These results broadened the understanding of carotenoid synthesis pathways and laid a foundation for the exploration and utilization of the PSY gene.

Expression of a Hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA Shikimate/Quinate Hydroxycinnamoyl Transferase 4 Gene from Zoysia japonica (ZjHCT4) Causes Excessive Elongation and Lignin Composition Changes in Agrostis stolonifera

“…Total RNA was extracted from healthy zoysia of a 3-month-old plant. RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis followed previous descriptions [ 32 ]. The ORF sequence of ZjHCT4 was amplified with primers listed in Supplemental Table S1 .…”

“…In addition, we treated 3-month-old Zoysia japonica with 10 μmol/L ABA, 10 μmol/L MeJA, 200 μmol/L ETH, 300 mmol/L NaCl, and 20% PEG4000, respectively. The tissues were collected after being induced for 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. The beta-actin gene from Zoysia japonica (GenBank accession number: GU290546) was chosen as the internal reference gene [ 32 ]. The expression patterns of the AsCAD , AsCAD6 , AsCCR2 , AsPA , As4CL , As4CLL4 , As4CLL7 , AsPOD1 , AsCOMT , AsCCoAOMT , AsCCoAOMT , and AsCSE in transgenic and control plants were evaluated using RT-PCR.…”

Expression of a Chlorophyll b Reductase Gene from Zoysia japonica Causes Changes in Leaf Color and Chlorophyll Morphology in Agrostis stolonifera

“…RNA was extracted and cDNA was produced from the leaves at 0 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h after treatment. The Z. japonica beta-actin was used as an internal reference gene (GenBank accession number: GU290546) [ 43 ]. RNA was isolated from OE and control plants that had been exposed to darkness for 0–7 days.…”