Comparative transcriptome analysis indicates conversion of stamens into pistil-like structures in male sterile wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with Aegilops crassa cytoplasm

Abstract

Background: Aegilops crassa cytoplasm is an important source for investigating cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS). Moreover, the stamens of line C303A exhibit a high degree of pistillody, turning almost white. However, the molecular mechanism that underlies pistillody in C303A remains unclear. Therefore, to obtain a better understanding of pistillody in C303A, the phenotypic and cytological features of C303A were observed to identify the key stage for the homeotic transformation of stamens into pistil-like structures. Transcriptome profiles were determined for stamens using Illumina RNA sequencing. Results: Morphological observations of the CMS wheat line with Aegilops crassa cytoplasm C303A showed that the pistils developed normally, but the stamens were ultimately aborted and they released no pollen when mature. According to paraffin section observations, the stamens began to transform into pistils or pistil-like structures in the binucleate stage (BNS). Therefore, the stamens were collected from line C303A and its maintainer 303B in the BNS for transcriptome sequencing. In total, 20,444 wheat genes were determined as differentially expressed in C303A and 303B stamens, with 10,283 upregulated and 10,161 downregulated genes. Gene Ontology enrichment analyses showed that most of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were annotated with GO terms comprising metabolic process, cell, cellular process, catalytic activity, and cell part. Analysis based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database showed that the enriched DEGs were mainly associated with energy metabolism. We also found several essential genes that may contribute to pistillody in C303A. These findings suggest that disrupted energy metabolism and reactive oxygen metabolism induce pistillody and eventually lead to abortion in C303A. Conclusion: We determined the complex transcriptome profiles for C303A stamens and demonstrated that disrupted energy metabolism and class B MADS-box genes are related to pistillody. These findings may facilitate future studies of the mechanistic response of the wheat stamen and pollen development in CMS.

Transcriptome profiling at the transition to the reproductive stage uncovers stage and tissue-specific genes in wheat

“…BLAST results showed that the predicted protein of TraesCS3B02G318300 is identical by 99% with TaAGL14 , 98% with TaAGL15 in wheat , and 87% with OsMADS32 in rice . Furthermore, TaAGL14 , TaAGL15, and OsMADS32 together, form a distinctive clade of MIKC -type gene family found only in grasses with no representatives from Arabidopsis [ 77 , 78 ] reported the involvement of TaAGL14 in stamen and pistils development in wheat. Here, we provide the first evidence about the function of the TaAGL14 gene in an earlier reproductive stage in floral meristem activation in wheat, which may very likely be similar to OsMADS32 function in rice.…”

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals key insights into male sterility in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge

“…However, compared with other model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and rice, there is little basic molecular research into S. miltiorrhiza and its genetic background is poorly established. In recent years, transcriptome sequencing using the Illumina platform has been employed as a powerful tool with a wide range of applications, such as cell-type-specific biological processes, to address fundamental problems related to biology on an evolutionary time scale ( Liu et al, 2020 ). The molecular mechanisms related to secondary metabolism, especially the synthesis of tanshinone and salvianolic acid, have been relatively well-studied in S. miltiorrhiza , while the molecular and genetic mechanisms related to morphological development are not well-studied ( Zhan et al, 2019 ; Yang et al, 2013 ).…”

Elucidating the modulatory effect of melatonin on enzyme activity and oxidative stress in wheat: a global meta‐analysis

“…This revolution was essential in addressing food scarcity and relieving global hunger. However, various abiotic factors, such as salt, drought, heavy metals, and severe temperatures, frequently threaten wheat production (Dradrach et al 2022, Iqbal et al 2023, Niu et al 2023). Abiotic stresses are the major agricultural limitation that limits the crop growth and productivity of many crops worldwide.…”

“…Melatonin, identified as a growth regulator in higher plants in 1995, has positive effects on regulating various biological processes (Ahmad et al 2021, Samanta et al 2021, Niu et al 2023, Dongxiao et al 2017). It significantly impacts physiology by increasing the antioxidant defense system (Dawood 2022) and boosts plant resistance to abiotic stress (Rajora et al 2022).…”