Responses of Camellia sinensis cultivars to Cu and Al stress

The response of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze cultivars Chinary and Assamica to Cu and Al stresses was investigated. Exposure to 100 μM CuSO4 or 100 μM AlCl3 led to accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) more in Assamica than in Chinary. Proline content was higher in Chinary compared to Assamica, while chlorophyll and protein contents decreased upon Cu and Al exposure in both the cultivars. Expression of glutathione biosynthetic enzymes γ-glutamylcysteinyl synthetase (γ-ECS) and glutathione synthetase (GSHS) was elevated. Phytochelatin synthase (PCS), an enzyme involved in phytochelatins synthesis by using glutathione as a substrate was up-regulated at its transcript level more in Chinary than in Assamica. These results suggest that Chinary could be more tolerant than Assamica

Characterization of novel small RNAs from tea (Camellia sinensis L.)

Small RNAs play important roles in plant development, metabolism, signal transduction and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses by affecting gene expression. Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is an important commercial crop in the world. To understand the regulatory mechanisms involving small RNAs in tea metabolism, we constructed a small RNA (sRNA) library from its tea drink manufacturing tissue part i.e. topmost two leaves and a bud. For the first time, we isolated and cloned six novel small RNAs candidates from tea. These were predicted to target 67 genes responsible for various important plant functions. Isolated small RNAs were validated through expression analysis in young leaf and old leaf during nondormant and dormant growth phases of tea. Results suggest the probable role of isolated small RNAs in development and seasonal variations of tea