# Transcriptomic study of the role of MeFtsZ2-1 in pigment accumulation in cassava leaves

## TL;DR

This study explores how the MeFtsZ2-1 gene affects pigment accumulation in cassava leaves, revealing its role in anthocyanin and carotenoid production.

## Contribution

The study identifies MeFtsZ2-1's novel role in pigment accumulation through transcriptomic and physiological analyses in cassava.

## Key findings

- Overexpression of MeFtsZ2-1 in cassava leads to darker leaf color and increased anthocyanin and carotenoid levels.
- RNA-seq identified 1582 differentially expressed genes enriched in flavonoid and carotenoid biosynthesis pathways.
- Transmission Electron Microscopy showed increased plastoglobule numbers but no chloroplast structural defects in overexpressing plants.

## Abstract

MeFtsZ2-1 is a key gene for plant plastid division, but the mechanism by which MeFtsZ2-1 affects pigment accumulation in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) through plastids remains unclear. We found that MeFtsZ2-1 overexpression in cassava (OE) exhibited darker colors of leaves, with increased levels of anthocyanins and carotenoids. Further observation via Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed no apparent defects in chloroplast structure but an increase in the number of plastoglobule in OE leaves. RNA-seq results showed 1582 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in leaves of OE. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that these DEGs were enriched in pathways related to flavonoid, anthocyanin, and carotenoid biosynthesis. This study reveals the role of MeFtsZ2-1 in cassava pigment accumulation from a physiological and transcriptomic perspective, providing a theoretical basis for improving cassava quality.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-024-10165-w.