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Cloning and functional characterization of quinolinic acid phosphoribosyl transferase ( QPT ) gene of Nicotiana tabacum
Author(s) -
Khan Sana,
Pandey Shiv Shanker,
Shanker Karuna,
Khan Feroz,
Rahman Laiq ur
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/ppl.12559
Subject(s) - biochemistry , biology , nicotiana , nicotiana tabacum , rna interference , chemistry , gene , rna , solanaceae
The quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase ( QPT ) is a key enzyme that converts quinolinic acid into nicotinic acid mononucleotide. The QPT gene plays an essential role in the pyridine nucleotide cycle as well as in the biosynthetic pathway of the alkaloid nicotine. However, a clear role for QPT is yet to be characterized to validate the actual function of this gene in planta. In this study, an RNA interference (RNAi) approach was used to reveal the functional role of QPT . Transformation and analysis of the hairy roots (HRs) of the Nicotiana leaf explants was used, followed by plant regeneration and analysis. High‐performance liquid chromatography ( HPLC ) analysis of the HRs and of the regenerated plants both revealed altered alkaloid biosynthetic cycle, with a substantially reduced content of nicotine and anabasine. The transgenic plants exhibited a significantly altered phenotype and growth pattern. Also, silencing of QPT led to a decrease in chlorophyll content, maximum quantum efficiency of PSII , net CO 2 assimilation and starch content. Results clearly demonstrated that QPT was not only involved in the biosynthetic pathway of the alkaloids but also affected plant growth and development. Our results provide information to be considered when trying to engineer the secondary metabolite quality and quantity.