Transcriptome profiling provides insights into leaf color changes in two Acer palmatum genotypes.

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Molecular Genetics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Ornamental trees like Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) are popular worldwide.
• Leaf color significantly impacts the ornamental and economic value of A. palmatum.
• The molecular basis of A. palmatum leaf color variation is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the molecular mechanisms behind leaf color changes in Acer palmatum.
• To identify genes and metabolic pathways involved in leaf coloration.
• To provide insights for genetic improvement of A. palmatum cultivars.

Main Methods:

• Comparative transcriptomic analysis of yellow and red leaf A. palmatum cultivars ('Jinling Huangfeng' and 'Jinling Danfeng').
• Illumina high-throughput sequencing at four developmental time points.
• Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA).

Main Results:

• Cyanidin and delphinidin content differences are primary drivers of leaf coloration.
• Transcriptomic analysis identified 225,684 unigenes, with enrichment in 'anthocyanin biosynthesis' pathways.
• Key genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis and regulation (MYBs, bHLHs, WD40s) were identified, along with candidate genes ApRHOMBOID, ApMAPK, and ApUNE10.

Conclusions:

• Leaf color variation in A. palmatum is linked to anthocyanin biosynthesis.
• This study elucidates molecular pathways contributing to leaf color diversity.
• Findings offer a basis for targeted genetic strategies to enhance A. palmatum ornamental traits.