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Updated: Aug 27, 2025
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Annotation of Plant Gene Function via Combined Genomics, Metabolomics and Informatics
Published on: June 17, 2012
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Dynamic transcriptome and network-based analysis of yellow leaf mutant Ginkgo biloba
Yue Sun1, Pan-Pan Bai1, Kai-Jie Gu1
1Systematic & Evolutionary Botany and Biodiversity Group, MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
BMC Plant Biology
|September 28, 2022
Summary
Golden leaf yellowing in Ginkgo biloba is driven by altered chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolism. This study reveals key genes and regulatory networks involved in seasonal leaf coloration.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Golden leaf coloration is a notable trait in deciduous trees, particularly Ginkgo biloba L.
- The molecular mechanisms and dynamic regulatory networks governing leaf yellowing remain largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying leaf yellowing in a golden-leaf ginkgo cultivar.
- To analyze the dynamic regulatory network of leaf coloration across different seasons.
Main Methods:
- Comparative physiological and dynamic transcriptional analyses were conducted on a golden-leaf cultivar (YL) and wild-type (WT) ginkgo.
- Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was employed to identify key regulatory factors.
Main Results:
- Leaf yellowing in YL is associated with higher chlorophyll a/b and carotenoid/chlorophyll b ratios.
- Genes involved in chlorophyll degradation (NYC1, NOL, CLH) were upregulated, while chlorophyll biosynthesis (HEMA) was downregulated.
- Differential expression of carotenoid metabolism genes (ZEP, NCED) and regulation by an AP2/ERF-ERF family transcription factor were observed.
Conclusions:
- Chlorophyll plays a critical role in the leaf coloration of the golden-leaf ginkgo cultivar.
- The study provides novel insights into the seasonal transcriptome landscape and co-expression networks governing leaf color.
- Candidate genes were identified for future functional validation in tree species.
