摘要
Leaf variegation resulting from nuclear gene mutations has been used as a model system to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of chloroplast development. Since most variegation genes also function in photosynthesis, it remains unknown whether their roles in photosynthesis and chloroplast development are distinct. Here, using the variegation mutant thylakoid formation1 （thfl） we show that variegation formation is light independent. It was found that slow and uneven chloroplast development in thfl can be attributed to defects in etioplast development in darkness. Ultrastructural analysis showed the coexistence of plastids with or without prolamellar bodies （PLB） in cells of thfl, but not of WT. Although THF1 mutation leads to significant decreases in the levels of Pchlide and Pchliide oxidoreductase （POR） expression, genetic and 5-aminolevulinic acid （ALA）-feeding analysis did not reveal Pchlide or POR to be critical factors for etioplast formation in thfl. Northern blot analysis showed that plastid gene expression is dramatically reduced in thfl compared with that in WT, particularly in the dark. Our results also indicate that chlorophyll biosynthesis and expression of plastidic genes are coordinately suppressed in thfl. Based on these results, we propose a model to explain leaf variegation formation from the plastid development perspective.
Leaf variegation resulting from nuclear gene mutations has been used as a model system to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of chloroplast development. Since most variegation genes also function in photosynthesis, it remains unknown whether their roles in photosynthesis and chloroplast development are distinct. Here, using the variegation mutant thylakoid formation1 （thfl） we show that variegation formation is light independent. It was found that slow and uneven chloroplast development in thfl can be attributed to defects in etioplast development in darkness. Ultrastructural analysis showed the coexistence of plastids with or without prolamellar bodies （PLB） in cells of thfl, but not of WT. Although THF1 mutation leads to significant decreases in the levels of Pchlide and Pchliide oxidoreductase （POR） expression, genetic and 5-aminolevulinic acid （ALA）-feeding analysis did not reveal Pchlide or POR to be critical factors for etioplast formation in thfl. Northern blot analysis showed that plastid gene expression is dramatically reduced in thfl compared with that in WT, particularly in the dark. Our results also indicate that chlorophyll biosynthesis and expression of plastidic genes are coordinately suppressed in thfl. Based on these results, we propose a model to explain leaf variegation formation from the plastid development perspective.
基金
supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2007CB108800 and 2009CB118504 to J. H.)
Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (09ZR1436300 to L. Z.)
National Special Grantfor Transgenic Crops (2009ZX08009-081B to J. H.)
