Melatonin regulates proteomic changes during leaf senescence in Malus hupehensis

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Melatonin is linked to aging, but its role in plant leaf senescence and proteome regulation is unclear.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for agricultural applications and plant longevity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the proteomic changes induced by long-term melatonin exposure during apple leaf senescence.
• To elucidate the regulatory role of melatonin in delaying senescence at the protein level.

Main Methods:

• Long-term (2 months) exogenous melatonin application to Malus hupehensis roots.
• Proteomic analysis using TMT labeling and NanoLC-MS/MS on samples from treated and control groups.
• Gene Ontology (GO) analysis to classify altered proteins and their functions.

Main Results:

• Melatonin treatment delayed leaf senescence and altered 309 proteins, while senescence itself affected 622 proteins.
• Altered proteins were primarily involved in metabolic processes, hydrolase activity, and plastid localization.
• Melatonin downregulated proteins typically upregulated during senescence, suggesting a regulatory role in senescence pathways.

Conclusions:

• Melatonin delays apple leaf senescence by modulating protein expression profiles.
• The study provides foundational proteomic data on melatonin's function in plant senescence.
• Unknown regulatory proteins may play a significant role in melatonin's senescence-delaying effects.