BioProject

Responses to altered source–sink balance have been characterized in many crops at the physiological level, but the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. More...

Responses to altered source–sink balance have been characterized in many crops at the physiological level, but the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Detailed transcriptional profiling was performed in partially defoliated and shaded tomato plants to explore the effect of reduced source-to-sink ratio on molecular changes in the remaining source leaves. Transcription profiles of the remaining leaves 48 h after partial defoliation or partial shading were compared to leaves of control plants. Common significantly altered genes in the two treatments were assumed to be related to the reduced source-to-sink ratio. Sets of major genes in the abscisic acid, ethylene and gibberellin signal-transduction pathways were downregulated by both treatments. On the other hand, genes encoding cytokinin biosynthesis were upregulated. Most genes coding for transcription factors were also downregulated, especially those related to biotic and abiotic stress responses. Perhaps the most pronounced effect of reduced source-to-sink ratio was related to genes involved in the regulation of photosynthetic activity. Numerous genes coding for light-harvesting proteins, as well as those encoding plastocyanin, ferredoxin and ferredoxin NADP+ oxidoreductase were upregulated. Direct spectrophotometric analyses showed higher maximal potential activity of photosystem I with reduced source-to-sink ratio. As expected, the increased capacity for photosynthetic activity was associated with upregulation of almost all genes coding for the Calvin–Benson cycle and those encoding ATP biosynthesis in the mitochondria. Numerous transcriptional changes were observed 48 h after reducing source-to-sink ratio. Major genes in the photosynthetic-activity pathways were upregulated, whereas those in the pathways of defense mechanisms and responses to stress were downregulated. Genes involved in leaf senescence were also downregulated, suggesting that in addition to increased photosynthetic activity, the remaining leaves undergo a process of rejuvenation. Overall design: Comparative gene expression profiling analysis of RNA-seq data for 3 biological replicates of partial shading, partial defoliation, and control tomato leaves. Less...