Chlorophyllase (PsCLH1) and light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein 1 (PsLhcb1) and PsLhcb5 maintain petal greenness in Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Lv Mu Yin Yu’

Introduction: Green flowers are not an adaptive trait in natural plants due to the challenge for pollinators to discriminate from leaves, but they are valuable in horticulture. The molecular mechanisms of green petals remain unclear. Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) is a globally cultivated ornamen...

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Main Authors: Qing Hao, Tongtong Li, Gaojie Lu, Shuo Wang, Zhen Li, Cancan Gu, Fan Kong, Qingyan Shu, Yang Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Advanced Research
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090123224003886
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author Qing Hao
Tongtong Li
Gaojie Lu
Shuo Wang
Zhen Li
Cancan Gu
Fan Kong
Qingyan Shu
Yang Li
author_facet Qing Hao
Tongtong Li
Gaojie Lu
Shuo Wang
Zhen Li
Cancan Gu
Fan Kong
Qingyan Shu
Yang Li
author_sort Qing Hao
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Green flowers are not an adaptive trait in natural plants due to the challenge for pollinators to discriminate from leaves, but they are valuable in horticulture. The molecular mechanisms of green petals remain unclear. Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) is a globally cultivated ornamental plant and considered the ‘King of Flowers’ in China. The P. suffruticosa ‘Lv Mu Yin Yu (LMYY)’ cultivar with green petals could be utilized as a representative model for understanding petal-specific chlorophyll (Chl) accumulation and color formation. Objectives: Identify the key genes related to Chl metabolism and understand the molecular mechanism of petal color changes. Methods: The petal color parameter was analyzed at five developmental stages using a Chroma Spectrophotometer, and Chl and anthocyanin accumulation patterns were examined. Based on comparative transcriptomes, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, among which three were functionally characterized through overexpression in tobacco plants or silencing in ‘LMYY’ petals. Results: During flower development and blooming, flower color changed from green to pale pink, consistent with the Chl and anthocyanin levels. The level of Chl demonstrated a similar pattern with petal epidermal cell striation density. The DEGs responsible for Chl and anthocyanin metabolism were characterized through a comparative transcriptome analysis of flower petals over three critical developmental stages. The key chlorophyllase (PsCLH1) and light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein 1 (PsLhcb1) and PsLhcb5 influenced the Chl accumulation and the greenness of ‘LMYY’ petals. Conclusion: PsCLH1, PsLhcb1, and PsLhcb5 were critical in accumulating the Chl and maintaining the petal greenness. Flower color changes from green to pale pink were regulated by the homeostasis of Chl degradation and anthocyanin biosynthesis. This study offers insights into underlying molecular mechanisms in the green petal and a strategy for germplasm innovation.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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spelling doaj-art-8388161d574e4c7b9e75f4e62cd8f7162025-08-20T03:22:50ZengElsevierJournal of Advanced Research2090-12322025-07-017317318510.1016/j.jare.2024.09.003Chlorophyllase (PsCLH1) and light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein 1 (PsLhcb1) and PsLhcb5 maintain petal greenness in Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Lv Mu Yin Yu’Qing Hao0Tongtong Li1Gaojie Lu2Shuo Wang3Zhen Li4Cancan Gu5Fan Kong6Qingyan Shu7Yang Li8College of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, ChinaCollege of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, ChinaCollege of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, ChinaCollege of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, ChinaCollege of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, ChinaCollege of Landscape Architecture and Forestry, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Corresponding authors.State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China; China National Botanical Garden, Beijing 100093, China; Corresponding authors.Introduction: Green flowers are not an adaptive trait in natural plants due to the challenge for pollinators to discriminate from leaves, but they are valuable in horticulture. The molecular mechanisms of green petals remain unclear. Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) is a globally cultivated ornamental plant and considered the ‘King of Flowers’ in China. The P. suffruticosa ‘Lv Mu Yin Yu (LMYY)’ cultivar with green petals could be utilized as a representative model for understanding petal-specific chlorophyll (Chl) accumulation and color formation. Objectives: Identify the key genes related to Chl metabolism and understand the molecular mechanism of petal color changes. Methods: The petal color parameter was analyzed at five developmental stages using a Chroma Spectrophotometer, and Chl and anthocyanin accumulation patterns were examined. Based on comparative transcriptomes, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, among which three were functionally characterized through overexpression in tobacco plants or silencing in ‘LMYY’ petals. Results: During flower development and blooming, flower color changed from green to pale pink, consistent with the Chl and anthocyanin levels. The level of Chl demonstrated a similar pattern with petal epidermal cell striation density. The DEGs responsible for Chl and anthocyanin metabolism were characterized through a comparative transcriptome analysis of flower petals over three critical developmental stages. The key chlorophyllase (PsCLH1) and light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein 1 (PsLhcb1) and PsLhcb5 influenced the Chl accumulation and the greenness of ‘LMYY’ petals. Conclusion: PsCLH1, PsLhcb1, and PsLhcb5 were critical in accumulating the Chl and maintaining the petal greenness. Flower color changes from green to pale pink were regulated by the homeostasis of Chl degradation and anthocyanin biosynthesis. This study offers insights into underlying molecular mechanisms in the green petal and a strategy for germplasm innovation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090123224003886Tree peonyChlorophyll degradationPetal degreeningChlorophyllaseLight-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein
spellingShingle Qing Hao
Tongtong Li
Gaojie Lu
Shuo Wang
Zhen Li
Cancan Gu
Fan Kong
Qingyan Shu
Yang Li
Chlorophyllase (PsCLH1) and light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein 1 (PsLhcb1) and PsLhcb5 maintain petal greenness in Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Lv Mu Yin Yu’
Journal of Advanced Research
Tree peony
Chlorophyll degradation
Petal degreening
Chlorophyllase
Light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein
title Chlorophyllase (PsCLH1) and light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein 1 (PsLhcb1) and PsLhcb5 maintain petal greenness in Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Lv Mu Yin Yu’
title_full Chlorophyllase (PsCLH1) and light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein 1 (PsLhcb1) and PsLhcb5 maintain petal greenness in Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Lv Mu Yin Yu’
title_fullStr Chlorophyllase (PsCLH1) and light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein 1 (PsLhcb1) and PsLhcb5 maintain petal greenness in Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Lv Mu Yin Yu’
title_full_unstemmed Chlorophyllase (PsCLH1) and light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein 1 (PsLhcb1) and PsLhcb5 maintain petal greenness in Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Lv Mu Yin Yu’
title_short Chlorophyllase (PsCLH1) and light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein 1 (PsLhcb1) and PsLhcb5 maintain petal greenness in Paeonia suffruticosa ‘Lv Mu Yin Yu’
title_sort chlorophyllase psclh1 and light harvesting chlorophyll a b binding protein 1 pslhcb1 and pslhcb5 maintain petal greenness in paeonia suffruticosa lv mu yin yu
topic Tree peony
Chlorophyll degradation
Petal degreening
Chlorophyllase
Light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090123224003886
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