RNA-seq analysis of non-photosynthteic Ericaceae plant, Monotropastrum humile. Monotropastrum humile

To obtain novel insights in non-photosynthetic plant by focusing on plastidand peroxisome functions, we have conducted transcriptome analysis of non-photosynthetic Ericaceae plant, Monotropastrum humile. The comparisonwith the transcriptome data of photosynthetic Ericaceae plant, Enkianthusperulatus demonstrated that most of genes involved in plastid function suchas photosynthesis, carbon fixation, chlorophyll biosynthesis, phylloquinonebiosynthesis and plastid division were not expressed or expressed at lowlevels. These results propose that plastid function in M. humile is severelycompromised. The peroxisomal genes for photorespiration were revealed to benot expressed in M. humile, whereas other peroxisomal genes such asbiogenesis, detoxification of hydrogen peroxide and fatty acid metabolismwere expressed in this plant. These results suggest that photorespiration isnot required in M. humile. In contrast, peroxisomes themselves are presentin this plant, since peroxisomes have various roles in cells. This is thefirst repot providing clear insights into plastid and peroxisome functionsin non-photosynthetic plant.