Abstract
Tea plant (Camellia sinensis) has unique biological features for the study of cellular and molecular mechanisms, an evergreen broad-leaved woody plant which can accumulate selenium in soil abundant of Selenium. Expression of the genes related to Selenium (Se) metabolism is an adaptation to the soil environment for a long period. The purpose of the present study was to explore if there exist differences of expression about these genes in tea plant between growing in Selenium-abundant and normal soil. A quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR) assay was done for quantification of ATP sulfurylase (APS) and selenocysteine methyltransferase (SMT) mRNA normalized to Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene in tea plant. Young leaves, mature leaves and tender roots from tea plants growing in soil abundant of Selenium were respectively obtained from Shitai County, Anhui Province, and also the relevant materials of the selenium un-enriched tea plant planted at agricultural garden of Ahui Agriculture University were taken as control for real-time PCR analysis. The results showed that APS1, APS2 and SMT expression levels for either young or mature leaves in selenium-enriched tea plant were lower than that in ordinary (selenium un-enriched) tea plant. In contrast, the APS1, APS2 and SMT expression level of roots in selenium-enriched tea plant were all higher than that in ordinary tea plant. APS1 gene expression level of roots in selenium-enriched tea plant was about 1.6 times higher than that in the ordinary tea plant, APS2 gene expression level was about 4.8-fold higher than that in the ordinary tea plant, SMT gene expression level was about 3.3 times higher than that in the ordinary tea plant. Among various tissues of selenium-enriched tea plant, APS1 gene relative expression level of young leaves was similar to or slightly higher than mature leaves, and the one of roots was the lowest among them; APS2 gene relative expression level of young leaves was similar to or slightly higher than the roots, and the one of mature leaves was the lowest among them; SMT gene relative expression level of young leaves was similar to or slightly higher than mature leaves, and the one of roots was the highest among them. Our results suggest that there existed correlation between selenium and expression levels of these genes.
Highlights
Plants primarily take up Se as selenate or selenite reviewed in Terry et al [1], which is metabolized, via the sulfur (S) assimilation pathway, resulting in the production of selenocysteine (SeCys) [2], selenomethionine and other Se isologs of various S metabolites [3]
Mature leaves and tender roots from tea plants growing in soil abundant of Selenium were respectively obtained from Shitai County, Anhui Province, and the relevant materials of the selenium un-enriched tea plant planted at agricultural garden of Ahui Agriculture University were taken as control for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis
The results showed that APS1, APS2 and selenocysteine methyltransferase (SMT) expression levels for either young or mature leaves in selenium-enriched tea plant were lower than that in ordinary tea plant
Summary
Plants primarily take up Se as selenate or selenite reviewed in Terry et al [1], which is metabolized, via the sulfur (S) assimilation pathway, resulting in the production of selenocysteine (SeCys) [2], selenomethionine and other Se isologs of various S metabolites [3]. Overexpression of Selenocysteine methyltransferase (SMT) in A. thaliana results in the production of Se-methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys) and its derivative c-glutamyl-Se-methylselenocysteine, as well as increased tolerance to selenite [4]. ATP sulfurylase (APS) and SMT are two key enzymes which plays key roles in Selenium(Se) metabolism [5]. ATP sulfurylase catalyzes the formation of adenosine phosphosulfate (APS) from ATP and sulfate [6]. SMT methylates selenocysteine (SeCys) to produce the nonprotein amino acid Se-methyl selenocysteine [7]. We have isolated APS and SMT gene cDNA sequences (APS1, APS2 and SMT) from Camellia sinensis [8,9]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.