Transcription factor CsWRKY40 regulates L-theanine hydrolysis by activating the CsPDX2.1 promoter in tea leaves during withering.

ABSTRACT: L-Theanine is a crucial secondary metabolite in tea and positively determines the potential quality and health benefits of tea products. Previous work found the content of L-theanine decreased during withering process, while the specific mechanism is still unknown. Here, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed based on the transcriptome data obtained previously. The key hydrolysis gene CsPDX2.1 in L-theanine metabolism and seven candidate transcription factors were screened out. Among those transcription factors, CsWRKY40 presented the strongest activation on the CsPDX2.1 promoter (373.18-fold) by binding to W box element based on the dual luciferase assay and EMSA results. Meanwhile, CsWRKY40 protein was located in the nucleoplasm, while CsPDX2.1 was found in bo

SUBMITTER: Cheng H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9055099 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature