Cytologic, Genetic, and Proteomic Analysis of a Yellow Leaf Mutant of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), Siyl-1

Leaf color mutation in sesame always affects the growth and development of plantlets, and their yield. To clarify the mechanisms underlying leaf color regulation in sesame, we analyzed a yellow-green leaf mutant. Genetic analysis of the mutant selfing revealed 3 phenotypes--YY, light-yellow (lethal); Yy, yellow-green; and yy, normal green--controlled by an incompletely dominant nuclear gene, Siyl-1. In YY and Yy, the number and morphological structure of the chloroplast changed evidently, with disordered inner matter, and significantly decreased chlorophyll content. To explore the regulation mechanism of leaf color mutation, the proteins expressed among YY, Yy, and yy were analyzed. All 98 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were classified into 5 functional groups, in which photosynthesis and energy metabolism (82.7%) occupied a dominant position. Our findings provide the basis for further molecular mechanism and biochemical effect analysis of yellow leaf mutants in plants.