Expression of genes for two phosphofructokinases, tonoplast ATPase subunit A, and pyrophosphatase of tea roots in response to phosphorus-deficiency

Abstract

SummaryLimited data are available on the levels of expression of the genes encoding ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase (ATP-PFK), pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase (PPi-PFK), tonoplast adenosinetriphosphatase (V-ATPase) subunit A, and tonoplast pyrophosphatase (V-PPiase) in response to phosphorus (P)-deficiency. Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a useful species in which to investigate adaptations to P-deficiency in higher plants due to its high tolerance to P-deficiency. Partial cDNAs encoding these four enzymes were isolated from tea roots. Thereafter, semi-quantitative RT-PCR was performed to analyse the levels of expression of these four genes in tea roots in response to P-deficiency. The results showed that P-deficiency decreased the levels of expression of the genes for ATP-PFK and V-ATPase subunit A, whereas not only did it not decrease, but it slightly increased the levels of expression of the genes for PPi-PFK and V-PPiase. This may contribute to the high tolerance of tea plants to P-deficiency.