Transformation of Long-Lived Albino Epipremnum aureum ‘Golden Pothos’ and Restoring Chloroplast Development

Abstract

Chloroplasts are organelles responsible for chlorophyll biosynthesis, photosynthesis, and biosynthesis of many metabolites, which are one of key targets for crop improvement. Elucidating and engineering genes involved in chloroplast development are important approaches for studying chloroplast functions as well as developing new crops. In this study, we report a long-lived albino mutant derived from a popular ornamental plant Epipremnum aureum ‘Golden Pothos’ which could be used as a model for analyzing the function of genes involved in chloroplast development and generating colorful plants. Albino mutant plants were isolated from regenerated populations of variegated ‘Golden Pothos’ whose albino phenotype was previously found to be due to impaired expression of EaZIP, encoding Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester cyclase. Using petioles of the mutant plants as explants with a traceable sGFP gene, an efficient transformation system was developed. Expressing Arabidopsis CHL27 (a homolog of EaZIP) but not EaZIP in albino plants restored green color and chloroplast development. Interestingly, in addition to the occurrence of plants with solid green color, plants with variegated leaves and pale-yellow leaves were also obtained in the regenerated populations. Nevertheless, our study shows that these long-lived albino plants along with the established efficient transformation system could be used for creating colorful ornamental plants. This system could also potentially be used for investigating physiological processes associated with chlorophyll levels and chloroplast development as well as certain biological activities, which are difficult to achieve using green plants.

Phytoarchitecture Design Requires a Plant Selection Framework to Combat Air Contaminants in Building Areas Sustainably

“…On the other hand, by spraying the antioxidant bilirubin at the same concentration, photo plants became more resistant to absorbing formaldehyde. The results of this study were also confirmed through other similar studies (Hung et al, 2021).…”

Self-pollination of the orchid Cycnoches haagii from Brazilian Cerrado results in albino phenotype seedlings

“…In this context, albino plants are also commonly used for studying chloroplast development and function. Previous studies show that albino plants derived from mutation together with their green counterparts are ideal genetic materials for identifying mutated genes involved in the chloroplast biogenesis and development (Hung et al, 2021).…”

Mutation in Mg-Protoporphyrin IX Monomethyl Ester (Oxidative) Cyclase Gene ZmCRD1 Causes Chlorophyll-Deficiency in Maize

“…Chlorophyll biosynthesis is a complex biological process catalyzed by at least 17 different key enzymes, and a variety of cofactors and transcription factors participate in this process. Numerous chlorophyll-deficient maize mutants have been identified, such as l*-Blandy 4 , oro , oro2 , and cf1 ( Huang et al, 2009 ; Hung et al, 2021 ). Although the function of MgPEC in chlorophyll biosynthesis has been confirmed to catalyze the conversion of MgPME to DV Pchlide, its entire structure and components are not clear.…”

“…EMS-mutagenized cucumber mutants have pale green leaves and fruits controlled by a recessive allele of CsYcf54 that encodes a Ycf54-like protein required for MgPEC ( Lun et al, 2016 ). Epipremnum aureum mutants exhibit a chlorophyll-deficient phenotype controlled by the nuclear gene EaZIP that is a homologous gene of Arabidopsis CHL27 and tobacco NTZIP , and AtCHL27 can restore its green phenotype and chloroplast development ( Hung et al, 2010 , 2021 ).…”