A comparative proteomics study revealing impact of growing region and cultivar on protein expression in the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum plant

The physical and chemical properties of Tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L. ) plants are sensitive to changes in the genetics and environment. Yet few studies have investigated the effect of both cultivar and regional factor on tobacco quality on the proteomic level. Here, TMT-based quantitative proteomics method was used to investigate proteome profiling of different tobacco leaves under various geographical location. Proteins associated with sucrose metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and amino acid metabolism were more abundant in tobacco plants from Yunnan. In contrast, proteins involve in response to heat were more abundant in tobacco plants from Henan. We found protein related to carbon metabolism and defense signaling plays an important role in the characteristic of different cultivar within the same region. In this work, we identified key proteins and pathway involved in response of Nicotiana tabacum to environmental change, and explored the proteomic differences induced by cultivars factor. Our results provide a better understanding on the effect of environment and cultivar on tobacco leaf proteome, which will be helpful for understanding the molecular mechanism of formation of tobacco characteristic quality.