Transcriptomics and Genomics Analysis Uncover the Differentially Expressed Chlorophyll and Carotenoid-Related Genes in Celery

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Abstract
Celery (Apium graveolens L.), a plant from Apiaceae, is one of the most important vegetables and is grown worldwide. Carotenoids can capture light energy and transfer it to chlorophyll, which plays a central role in photosynthesis. Here, by performing transcriptomics and genomics analysis, we identified and conducted a comprehensive analysis of chlorophyll and carotenoid-related genes in celery and six representative species. Significantly, different contents and gene expression patterns were found among three celery varieties. In total, 237 and 290 chlorophyll and carotenoid-related genes were identified in seven species. No notable gene expansion of chlorophyll biosynthesis was detected in examined species. However, the gene encoding ζ-carotene desaturase (ZDS) enzyme in carotenoid was expanded in celery. Comparative genomics and RNA-seq analyses revealed 16 and 5 key genes, respectively, regulating chlorophyll and carotenoid. An intriguing finding is that chlorophyll and carotenoid-related genes were coordinately regulated by transcriptional factors, which could be distinctively classified into positive- and negative-regulation groups. Six CONSTANS (CO)-like transcription factors co-regulated chlorophyll and carotenoid-related genes were identified in celery. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the regulation of chlorophyll and carotenoid by transcription factors.
Funding Information
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (32172583, C2022209010, C2021209005, 2020M673188, 2021T140097)
  • Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholar of Hebei Province (32172583, C2022209010, C2021209005, 2020M673188, 2021T140097)
  • Natural Science Foundation of Hebei (32172583, C2022209010, C2021209005, 2020M673188, 2021T140097)
  • China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (32172583, C2022209010, C2021209005, 2020M673188, 2021T140097)

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