Dataset Information

Elucidating Drought Stress Tolerance in European Oaks Through Cross-Species Transcriptomics.

ABSTRACT: The impact of climate change that comes with a dramatic increase of long periods of extreme summer drought associated with heat is a fundamental challenge for European forests. As a result, forests are expected to shift their distribution patterns toward north-east, which may lead to a dramatic loss in value of European forest land. Consequently, unraveling key processes that underlie drought stress tolerance is not only of great scientific but also of utmost economic importance for forests to withstand future heat and drought wave scenarios. To reveal drought stress-related molecular patterns we applied cross-species comparative transcriptomics of three major European oak species: the less tolerant deciduous pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), the deciduous but quite tolerant pubescent oak (Q. pubescens), and the very tolerant evergreen holm oak (Q. ilex). We found 415, 79, and 222 differentially expressed genes during drought stress in Q. robur, Q. pubescens, and Q. ilex, respectively, indicating species-specific response mechanisms. Further, by comparative orthologous gene family analysis, 517 orthologous genes could be characterized that may play an important role in drought stress adaptation on the genus level. New regulatory candidate pathways and genes in the context of drought stress response were identified, highlighting the importance of the antioxidant capacity, the mitochondrial respiration machinery, the lignification of the water transport system, and the suppression of drought-induced senescence - providing a valuable knowledge base that could be integrated in breeding programs in the face of climate change.

SUBMITTER: Madritsch S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6778798 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Elucidating Drought Stress Tolerance in European Oaks Through Cross-Species Transcriptomics.

Madritsch Silvia S Wischnitzki Elisabeth E Kotrade Peter P Ashoub Ahmed A Burg Agnes A Fluch Silvia S Brüggemann Wolfgang W Sehr Eva M EM

G3 (Bethesda, Md.) 20191007 10

The impact of climate change that comes with a dramatic increase of long periods of extreme summer drought associated with heat is a fundamental challenge for European forests. As a result, forests are expected to shift their distribution patterns toward north-east, which may lead to a dramatic loss in value of European forest land. Consequently, unraveling key processes that underlie drought stress tolerance is not only of great scientific but also of utmost economic importance for forests to w ...[more]

PMID: 31395652

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Project description:Plant survival in adverse environmental conditions requires a substantial change in the metabolism, which is reflected by the extensive transcriptome rebuilding upon the occurrence of the stress. Therefore, transcriptomic studies offer an insight into the mechanisms of plant stress responses. Here, we present the results of global gene expression profiling of roots and leaves of two barley genotypes with contrasting ability to cope with drought stress. Our analysis suggests that drought tolerance results from a certain level of transcription of stress-influenced genes that is present even before the onset of drought. Genes that predispose the plant to better drought survival play a role in the regulatory network of gene expression, including transcripts for several transcription factors, translation regulators and structural components of ribosomes. Important group of genes is involved in signaling mechanisms, with significant contribution of hormone signaling pathways and an interplay between ABA, auxin, ethylene and brassinosteroid homeostasis. Signal transduction in drought tolerant genotype may be more efficient through the expression of genes required for environmental sensing that are active already during normal water availability and are related to actin filaments and LIM domain proteins, which may function as osmotic biosensors. Better survival of drought may also be attributed to more effective processes of energy generation and more efficient chloroplasts biogenesis. Interestingly, our data suggest that several genes from photosynthesis process are required for the establishment of effective drought response not only in leaves, but also in roots of barley. Thus, we propose a hypothesis that root plastids may turn into the anti-oxidative centers protecting root macromolecules from oxidative damage during drought stress. Specific genes and their potential role in building up a drought-tolerant barley phenotype is extensively discussed with special emphasis on processes that take place in barley roots. When possible, the interconnections between particular factors are emphasize to draw a broader picture of the molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance in barley.

Dataset Information

Elucidating Drought Stress Tolerance in European Oaks Through Cross-Species Transcriptomics.

Publications

Elucidating Drought Stress Tolerance in European Oaks Through Cross-Species Transcriptomics.

Similar Datasets

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