Influence of exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid on chlorophyll synthesis and related gene expression in oilseed rape de-etiolated cotyledons under water-deficit stress

5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is an essential precursor for the biosynthesis of tetrapyrrols such as heme and chlorophyll (Chl). Previous studies have focused mainly on promotive effects of exogenous ALA on plant growth, while regulatory mechanisms affecting Chl biosynthesis have been only partially discussed. In the present study, the ameliorative role of exogenous ALA was investigated on Chl and endogenous ALA biosynthesis in six-day-old etiolated oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) cotyledons during the de-etiolation stage. We showed that exogenously applied ALA of a low dosage enhanced Chl and ALA accumulation in cotyledons, while 600 A mu M ALA treatment inhibited the accumulation of Chl and ALA severely. However, the gene expression levels of glutamyl-tRNA reductase (HEMA) and glutamate-1-semialdehyde aminotransferase (GSA) were not affected under either low or high ALA concentrations. Furthermore, water deficit induced by polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) suppressed the Chl and ALA accumulation in cotyledons, while the inhibition was partially alleviated in the cotyledons pretreated with ALA. The decrease in Chl biosynthesis induced by PEG stress was assumed to be related to downregulation of HEMA and Mg-chelatase ChlH (ChlH), and upregulation of ferrochelatase (FC) genes. Moreover, exogenously applied ALA did not show any effect on the expression of Chl synthesis-related genes under the PEG treatment. These results showed a difference in suppressing ALA synthesis due to the high concentration of ALA and PEG. Exogenously applied ALA did not affect the expression of HEMA and GSA, thus exogenous ALA regulated Chl synthesis not via the regulation of transcriptional level in ALA biosynthesis. However, the inhibition in Chl and endogenous ALA accumulation by the PEG treatment may be attributed to downregulation of HEMA and ChlH, and upregulation of FC.