Proteomic and Physiological Signatures of Altitude Adaptation in aMyrsine coriaceaPopulation under Common Garden Conditions

Abstract

AbstractPlants exhibit phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental variations, which can lead to stable genetic and physiological adaptations if exposure to specific conditions is prolonged.Myrsine coriaceademonstrates this through its ability to thrive in diverse environments. The objective of the article is to investigate the adaptive responses ofM. coriaceaby cultivating plants from seeds collected at four different altitudes in a common garden experiment. Through integrated physiological and proteomic analyses, we identified 170 differentially accumulated proteins and observed significant physiological differences among the populations. The high-altitude population (POP1) exhibited a unique proteomic profile with significant down-regulation of proteins involved in carbon fixation and energy metabolism, suggesting a potential reduction in photosynthetic efficiency. Physiological analyses showed lower leaf nitrogen content, net CO2assimilation rate, specific leaf area, and relative growth rate in stem height for POP1, alongside higher leaf carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) and leaf carbon (C) content. These findings provide insight into the complex interplay between proteomic and physiological adaptations inM. coriacea and underscore the importance of local adaptations. This study enhances our understanding of how altitude-specific selection pressures can shape plant molecular biology and physiology, offering valuable perspectives for predicting plant responses to global environmental changes.HighlightThis study unveils proteomic and physiological adaptations in a high-altitudeM. coriaceapopulation with reduced carbon fixation and energy metabolism.