Exploring C₄-CAM plasticity within the Portulaca oleracea complex

Ferrari, Renata Callegari, Cruz, Bruna Coelho, Gastaldi, Vinicius Daguano, Storl, Thalyson, Ferrari, Elisa Callegari, Boxall, Susanna F ORCID: 0000-0002-8753-101X, Hartwell, James ORCID: 0000-0001-5000-223X and Freschi, Luciano (2020) Exploring C₄-CAM plasticity within the Portulaca oleracea complex SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 10 (1). 14237-. ISSN 2045-2322, 2045-2322

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Abstract

Portulaca oleracea is a C<inf>4</inf> herb capable of performing CAM under drought stress. It is distributed worldwide and is either considered a polymorphic species or a complex of subspecies, due to its numerous morphological variations. We evaluated CAM plasticity within P. oleracea genotypes since the complexity surrounding this species may be reflected in intraspecific variations in photosynthetic behavior. Eleven subspecies of P. oleracea from distant geographical locations and one cultivar were morphologically and physiologically characterized. C<inf>4</inf> and CAM photosynthesis were monitored in plants exposed to well-watered, droughted and rewatered treatments, and data obtained were compared among individual genotypes. All subspecies expressed CAM in a fully-reversible manner. Transcript abundance of C<inf>4</inf>–CAM signature genes was shown to be a useful indicator of the C<inf>4</inf>–CAM–C<inf>4</inf> switches in all genotypes. C<inf>4</inf>-related genes were down-regulated and subsequently fully expressed upon drought and rewatering, respectively. CAM-marker genes followed the opposite pattern. A gradient of morphological traits and drought-induced nighttime malate accumulation was observed across genotypes. Therefore, different combinations of CAM expression levels, plant sizes and shapes are available within the P. oleracea complex, which can be a valuable tool in the context of C<inf>4</inf>/CAM photosynthesis research.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Portulaca, Plant Leaves, Carbon Dioxide, Photosynthesis, Stress, Physiological, Droughts, Crassulacean Acid Metabolism
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	28 Aug 2020 15:53
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 14:52
DOI:	10.1038/s41598-020-71012-y
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3099152
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