Increased ascorbic acid synthesis by overexpression of AcGGP3 ameliorates copper toxicity in kiwifruit

Abstract

The widespread application of copper (Cu) -based fertilizers and pesticides could increase the accumulation of Cu in kiwifruit. According to a global survey, red- and yellow-fleshed kiwifruit contained more elevated amounts of Cu than green-fleshed kiwifruit due to weaker disease resistance and higher use of Cu pesticides. Intriguingly, our research revealed that external and endogenous ascorbic acid (AsA) reduced the phenotypic and physiological injury of Cu toxicity in kiwifruit. Cu stress assays and transcriptional analysis have shown that Cu treatment for 12 h significantly increased the AsA content in kiwifruit leaves and up-regulated key genes involved in AsA biosynthesis, such as GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase3 (GGP3) and GDP-mannose-3',5'-epimerase (GME). Overexpressing GGP3 in transgenic kiwifruit significantly increased the endogenous AsA content of kiwifruit, which was beneficial in mitigating Cu toxicity by decreasing levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and electrolyte leakage, as well as reducing damage to the chloroplast structure and photosystem II. This study presented a novel strategy to ameliorate plant Cu stress by increasing the endogenous antioxidant (AsA) content through transgenesis.

Keywords: AcGGP3 gene; Ascorbic acid; Copper toxicity; Kiwifruit; Reactive oxygen species.