Three homologous genes encoding functional ∆8-sphingolipid desaturase in Populus tomentosa

Genetic architecture of leaf morphology revealed by integrated trait module in Catalpa bungei

Leaves are crucial for maintaining plant growth and development via photosynthesis, and their function is simultaneously regulated by a suite of phenotypic traits. Although much is known about the genetic architecture of individual leaf traits, unraveling the genetic basis of complex leaf morphology remains a challenge. Based on the functional correlation and coordination of multi-traits, we divided 15 leaf morphological traits into three modules, comprising size (area, length, width, and perimeter), shape (leaf lobes, aspect ratio, circularity, rectangularity, and the relevant ratios), and color (red, green, and blue) for an ornamental tree species, Catalpa bungei. A total of 189 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in the leaves of C. bungei: 35, 82, and 76 in the size, shape, and color modules, respectively. Four quantitative trait loci were common between the size and shape modules, which were closely related according to phenotype correlation, genetic mapping, and mRNA analysis. The color module was independent of them. Synergistic changes in the aspect ratio, leaf lobe, and circularity suggest that these traits could be the core indicators of the leaf shape module. The LAS and SRK genes, associated with leaf lobe and circularity, were found to function in plant defense mechanisms and the growth of leaves. The associations between the SRK and CRK2 genes and the leaf lobe and circularity traits were further verified by RT-qPCR. Our findings demonstrate the importance of integrating multi-trait modules to characterize leaf morphology and facilitate a holistic understanding of the genetic architecture of intraspecific leaf morphology diversity.

Genes encoding Δ(8)-sphingolipid desaturase from various plants: identification, biochemical functions, and evolution

∆(8)-sphingolipid desaturase catalyzes the C8 desaturation of a long chain base, which is the characteristic structure of various complex sphingolipids. The genes of 20 ∆(8)-sphingolipid desaturases from 12 plants were identified and functionally detected by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae system to elucidate the relationship between the biochemical function and evolution of this enzyme. Results showed that the 20 genes all can encode a functional ∆(8)-sphingolipid desaturase, which catalyzes different ratios of two products, namely, 8(Z) and 8(E)-C18-phytosphingenine. The coded enzymes could be divided into two groups on the basis of biochemical functions: ∆(8)-sphingolipid desaturase with a preference for an E-isomer product and ∆(8)-sphingolipid desaturase with a preference for a Z-isomer product. The conversion rate of the latter was generally lower than that of the former. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the 20 desaturases could also be clustered into two groups, and this grouping is consistent with that of the biochemical functions. Thus, the biochemical function of ∆(8)-sphingolipid desaturase is correlated with its evolution. The two groups of ∆(8)-sphingolipid desaturases could arise from distinct ancestors in higher plants. However, they might have initially evolved from ∆(8)-sphingolipid desaturases in lower organisms, such as yeasts, which can produce E-isomer products only. Furthermore, almost all of the transgenic yeasts harboring ∆(8)-sphingolipid desaturase genes exhibit an improvement in aluminum tolerance. Our study provided new insights into the biochemical function and evolution of ∆(8)-sphingolipid desaturases in plants.