光合系统的抑制与光合色素降解增强协同导致茶树叶片的杂色表型

doi:10.1016/j.jia.2025.10.012

摘要/Abstract

摘要：

近期研究发现，具有稳定叶色变异表型的杂色茶树表现出独特的生理特征。与传统绿叶茶树品种相比，其叶片氨基酸含量显著提升，多酚类物质含量则呈下降趋势。本研究以‘黄山种’茶树的杂色叶片与绿色叶片为实验材料，系统开展光合色素含量测定及转录组比较分析。研究结果表明，杂色叶片的叶绿素总量较绿色叶片显著降低，而Chl a/Chl b比值显著升高。进一步分析显示，多个参与葡萄糖代谢的基因(CsrpiA、CsGAPDH、CsgpmI、CsPK、CsOGDH)在杂色叶片中呈现表达上调。光系统Ⅱ复合体基因（CspsbP、CspsbW）及光捕获蛋白复合体基因（CsLhca1、CsLhca4、CsLhcb1、CsLhcb3）等光合通路关键基因的表达水平在杂色叶片中显著下调。同时，参与叶绿素分解代谢的相关基因（CsSGR、CsCLH1）在杂色叶片中表达显著上调。与野生型相比，CsCLH1和CsCLH2转基因植株叶绿素含量无显著变化。体外酶活性测定证实，CsCLH1具有降解叶绿素的酶活性。经亚细胞定位结果证实CsCLH1与CsCLH2蛋白均定位于细胞质与细胞核内。因此，CsCLH1在体内不具有降解叶绿素的能力。综上，茶树叶片杂色表型的形成与光合系统功能损伤、碳水化合物合成抑制及光合色素降解加速的协同作用有关。该研究成果不仅深化了对植物叶片变异分子机制的认知，也为解析植物叶色调控网络提供了新的理论依据。

Abstract:

A novel variegated tea cultivar exhibiting a stable variegated phenotype was recently identified, demonstrating significantly elevated amino acid content concomitantly with reduced polyphenolic compound levels compared to conventional green-leaf varieties. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, variegated leaves and normal leaves of ‘Huangshanzhong’ tea plant were used to perform pigment content analysis and comparative transcriptome analysis. The chlorophyll content in variegated leaves significantly decreased compared to normal leaves, while the ratio of Chl a to Chl b was enhanced. Multiple genes (CsrpiA, CsGAPDH, CsPGAM, CsPK and CsOGDH) involved in sugar metabolism exhibited downregulated expression in variegated leaves. Key genes involved in the photosynthetic pathway were down-regulated in variegated leaves, including those encoding light-harvesting protein complex chlorophyll a/b binding proteins (CsLhca1, CsLhca4, CsLhcb1 and CsLhcb3) and photosystem II complex proteins (CspsbP and CspsbW). Meanwhile, genes involved in chlorophyll degradation metabolism (CsSGR and CsCLH1) were upregulated in variegated leaves. Compared to the wild type, transgenic plants overexpressing CsCLH1 and CsCLH2 exhibited no significant changes in chlorophyll content. Enzyme activity assays showed that CsCLH1 could degrade chlorophyll in vitro. Subcellular localization results revealed that CsCLH1 and CsCLH2 were localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. These findings suggest that impaired photosynthetic system function, suppressed carbohydrate synthesis, and accelerated degradation of photosynthetic pigments collectively contribute to the variegated phenotype in tea leaves. This study advances our understanding of mechanisms underlying leaf variegation in plants.

Key words: Camellia sinensis , variegated phenotype , transcriptome, chlorophyll metabolism , photosynthesis

Yifan Li, Huiyan Jia, Yafei Guo, Zuguo Xi, Yufei Wang, Mengqian Lu, Wei Tong, Qianying Dai, Weiwei Deng. 光合系统的抑制与光合色素降解增强协同导致茶树叶片的杂色表型[J]. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(9): 3692-3702.

Yifan Li, Huiyan Jia, Yafei Guo, Zuguo Xi, Yufei Wang, Mengqian Lu, Wei Tong, Qianying Dai, Weiwei Deng. The inhibition of photosynthesis and enhanced pigment degradation result in the variegated phenotype in tea leaves (Camellia sinensis)[J]. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(9): 3692-3702.

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