The Laccase Gene Family Mediate Multi-Perspective Trade-Offs during Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis) Development and Defense Processes

Abstract

Laccase (LAC) plays important roles in different plant development and defense processes. In this study, we identified laccase genes (CsLACs) in Camellia sinensis cv ‘Longjing43′ cultivars, which were classified into six subclades. The expression patterns of CsLACs displayed significant spatiotemporal variations across different tissues and developmental stages. Most members in subclades II, IV and subclade I exhibited contrasting expression patterns during leaf development, consistent with a trade-off model for preferential expression in the early and late developmental stages. The extensive transcriptional changes of CsLACs under different phytohormone and herbivore treatment were observed and compared, with the expression of most genes in subclades I, II and III being downregulated but genes in subclades IV, V and VI being upregulated, suggesting a growth and defense trade-off model between these subclades. Taken together, our research reveal that CsLACs mediate multi-perspective trade-offs during tea plant development and defense processes and are involved in herbivore resistance in tea plants. More in-depth research of CsLACs upstream regulation and downstream targets mediating herbivore defense should be conducted in the future.

Multiomics-assisted characterization of rice-Yellow Stem Borer interaction provides genomic and mechanistic insights into stem borer tolerance in rice

“…Laccase (LAC; EC1.10.3.2) belongs to a multi-copper oxidase family of enzymes that play a crucial role in plant development and stress responses (Yu et al ., 2021). Various studies have identified the multi-faceted roles of laccases in plants that include cell wall elongation, secondary cell wall formation, lignification, pigmentation, flavonoid biosynthesis, metal ion stress, and seed setting.…”

The Citrus Laccase Gene CsLAC18 Contributes to Cold Tolerance

“…Additionally, our previous study revealed that the LTR motif ( cis -acting element involved in low-temperature responsiveness) was predicted to be located in the promoter regions of eight chilling-responsive CsLACs [ 18 ]. Moreover, low-temperature cis -elements were found in the promoters of 8 LACs from Brassica napus [ 29 ], 11 LACs from eggplant [ 17 ], 21 LACs from switchgrass [ 30 ], 12 LACs from tea plant [ 31 ], 45 LACs from wheat [ 32 ], and 16 LACs from peach [ 33 ]. Therefore, the above results indicate that low-temperature cis -elements are essential for the LACs to respond to cold stress.…”

A comprehensive review of polyphenol oxidase in tea (Camellia sinensis): Physiological characteristics, oxidation manufacturing, and biosynthesis of functional constituents

“…Overexpression of the PPO gene family in Camellia sinensis (CsPPOs) has been shown to improve pest disease resistance in tea plants (Gulati et al., 1999; Palanisamy & Mandal, 2014); meanwhile, the laccase gene family in C. sinensis (CsLACs) participates in constitutive lignin biosynthesis throughout tea plant growth and development (Yu et al., 2021). Certain R 2 R 3 ‐MYB transcription factors with high specificity and amplification in tea plants regulate secondary metabolite biosynthesis, such as catechins, and specifically activate the CsPPO 1 gene and enhance PPO activity (Huang et al., 2021; Li et al., 2022).…”