title: Genotypic variation in the sulfur assimilation and metabolism of onion (Allium cepa L.) I. Plant composition and transcript accumulation.
abstract: Organosulfur compounds are major sinks for assimilated sulfate in onion (Allium cepa L.) and accumulation varies widely due to plant genotype and sulfur nutrition. In order to better characterise sulfur metabolism phenotypes and identify potential control points we compared plant composition and transcript accumulation of the primary sulfur assimilation pathway in the high pungency genotype 'W202A' and the low pungency genotype 'Texas Grano 438' grown hydroponically under S deficient (S-) and S-sufficient (S+) conditions. Accumulation of total S and alk(en)yl cysteine sulfoxide flavour precursors was significantly higher under S+ conditions and in 'W202A' in agreement with previous studies. Leaf sulfate and cysteine levels were significantly higher in 'W202A' and under S+. Glutathione levels were reduced by S- treatment but were not affected by genotype, suggesting that thiol pool sizes are regulated differently in mild and pungent onions. The only significant treatment effect observed on transcript accumulation in leaves was an elevated accumulation of O-acetyl serine thiol-lyase under S-. By contrast, transcript accumulation of all genes in roots was influenced by one or more treatments. APS reductase transcript level was not affected by genotype but was strongly increased by S-. Significant genotype×S treatment effects were observed in a root high affinity-sulfur transporter and ferredoxin-sulfite reductase. ATP sulfurylase transcript levels were significantly higher under S+ and in 'W202A'.
authors.affiliation: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd., Private Bag 4704, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCallum
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular BioSciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Ludivine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd., Private Bag 4704, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd., Private Bag 4704, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Meeghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pither-Joyce
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular BioSciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular BioSciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cumming
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular BioSciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: McManus
mesh_terms: D003545:Cysteine / Q000378:metabolism; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D005838:Genotype; D019697:Onions / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism; D013455:Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013431:Sulfates; D013455:Sulfur; D003545:Cysteine