Integrative nuclear and total proteomics of compound leaves in semi-leafless and leafed pea cultivars reveal regulatory cues in leaf development
摘要
Leaf architecture is a critical determinant of crop productivity, influencing light interception, canopy organization, and lodging tolerance
Quantitative analyses identified more than 8,500 nuclear and 7,700 total proteins across tendrils, stipules, leaflets, rachis, and petioles. Comparative profiling revealed stronger conservation in nuclear proteomes (~ 37% differentially abundant proteins) than in total proteomes (~ 78%), with young tissues contributing disproportionately to proteomic variation. Tissue-and cultivar-specific differences were pronounced. The genetic variation at the afila locus strongly influenced tendril proteomes, with Cooper displaying widespread proteome reprogramming consistent with its highly branched phenotype, whereas Trapper’s residual tendril development was heavily shaped by nuclear regulation. Proteins associated with transcription factor families, including WDR, C2H2, bZIP, PHD, TF-B3, redox-homeostasis regulators, phytohormone signaling, chromatin modulators, and proteins regulating cell structure emerged as important contributors to different leaf developmental pathways. Additionally, clusters of uncharacterized proteins with unique abundance patterns across tissues and cultivars point to potential roles in organ identity and regulatory complexity yet to be uncovered.
ConclusionsTogether, these results provide unparalleled resolution of the proteomic landscape underlying pea leaf development. The resource offers novel insights into the regulatory complexity of compound leaf formation and establishes a foundation for systems-level approaches for molecular understanding.