The Dianthus spiculifolius chlorophyll-binding protein DsSep2 can be used as a genetic resource to create 'golden...

'Golden leaf' plants have higher ornamental and economic value; however, they are mainly derived through artificial selection and breeding after natural variation, which comprises a stochastic breeding process. In the present study, we established a method for the rapid production of golden leaf plants using transgenic techniques. In the ornamental plant Dianthus spiculifolius, stress-enhanced protein 2 (DsSep2) was identified as a member of the light-harvesting complex-like family. The results showed that DsSep2 contains a conserved chlorophyll (Chl)-binding motif and is localized within the chloroplasts. Further, the expression of DsSep2 was induced by light but decreased in the dark. Both transient or stable DsSep2 overexpression caused the golden-leaf phenotype in tobacco, Arabidopsis, and rice by reducing the Chl content. Moreover, the normal growth of transgenic golden leaf plants was not significantly affected. Similarly, endogenous DsSep2 overexpression caused Chl breakdown and a golden leaf phenotype in D. spiculifolius. However, the virus-induced gene silencing of DsSep2 in D. spiculifolius did not affect the Chl content or leaf color phenotype. In conclusion, our study shows that DsSep2 can be used as an excellent genetic resource for the rapid creation of golden-leaf plants, which will contribute to the abundance of ornamental plant resources.