Transcriptome analysis reveals the mechanism of action of tobacco NtAN3 in regulating leaf size formation
Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is an important cash crop, and the size of its leaves significantly influences both yield and quality. However, the upper part of tobacco leaves, due to its dense tissue structure, often faces issues such as narrow and thick leaves during the production of roasted cigarettes. These problems have a severe impact on the yield and quality of the upper leaf. Although the mechanism of leaf size regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana has been extensively studied, it remains unclear for tobacco. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the role of the NtAN3 gene in regulating tobacco leaf size by utilizing the NC82 variety. The researchers created both an overexpression mutant (G27) and a silencing mutant (M21) of the NtAN3 gene and examined their impact on leaf size using cell morphology observation and transcriptome analysis. These research findings offer valuable insights for molecular breeding aimed at improving tobacco yield and enhancing the availability of upper leaves. Overall design: 9 samples were analyzed, including 3 plant materials, each with three replicates.