Transcriptome sequencing and anthocyanin metabolite analysis involved in leaf red color formation of Cinnamomum camphora

Cinnamomum camphora , a key multifunctional tree species, serves primarily landscaping. Leaf color, crucial for its ornamental appeal, undergoes a transformation to red. However, the molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored in C. camphora . In this study, green leaf (GL), color turning red leaf (RL) and whole red leaf (WRL) were obtained to measure pigment contents, GL and RL were analyzed transcriptomic alterations. A decline in chlorophylls and a rise in anthocyanins were observed during leaf color from green translate to red. Using LC MS/MS, 11 kinds of anthocyanins showed significant accumulative differences, with Cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside exhibiting the greatest disparity. Comparative RNA-seq identified 22,948 genes against reference genes, revealing 544 novel genes. Of these, 4,065 genes were up-regulated and 8,152 were down-regulated. Among them, 22, 4, and 31 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were associated with chlorophyll biosynthesis, chlorophyll degradation, and anthocyanin biosynthesis, respectively. Additionally, differential expression was noted in 64 bHLH, 54 MYB, and 21 MYB-like transcription factors. These findings suggest a strong correlation between pigment metabolism and transcriptome data to release the mechanism with the leaf color translated to red of C. camphora .