DcBAS1, a Carrot Brassinosteroid Catabolism Gene, Modulates Cellulose Synthesis

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are important phytohormones and play critical roles during the growth and development of the plant. Numerous studies on biosynthesis and the signaling pathway of BRs have been performed, while the report about the metabolism of BRs is limited to carrots. In this study, we identified a homologous gene of AtCYP734A1/BAS1 (DCAR_009214), named DcBAS1, from carrots based on the data of the genome. The Arabidopsis overexpression line hosting the DcBAS1 gene was a dwarf and had crinkled blades and shortened petioles. Exogenous BL treatment rescued its growth and stem elongation. In addition, overexpressing DcBAS1 inhibited the cellulose synthesis in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that overexpression of DcBAS1 inhibited the expression levels of AtCESAs genes (AtCESA1, AtCESA3, and AtCESA6), which are involved in cellulose synthesis in primary cell walls. AtBES1, which can be active by BR signaling, was also inhibited. These results revealed that DcBAS1 is the important gene involved in BR metabolism in carrots. Overexpression of DcBAS1 reduced the level of endogenous BRs and inhibited the cellulose synthesis in transgenic Arabidopsis plants.