Genome-wide transcriptome profiling provides overwintering mechanism of Agropyron mongolicum

Abstract

BackgroundThe mechanism of winter survival for perennials involves multiple levels of gene regulation, especially cold resistance. Agropyron mongolicum is one important perennial grass species, but there is little information regarding its overwintering mechanism. We performed a comprehensive transcriptomics study to evaluate global gene expression profiles regarding the winter survival of Agropyron mongolicum. A genome-wide gene expression analysis involving four different periods was identified. Twenty-eight coexpression modules with distinct patterns were performed for transcriptome profiling. Furthermore, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their functional characterization were defined using a genome database such as NT, NR, COG, and KEGG.ResultA total of 79.6% of the unigenes were characterized to be involved in 136 metabolic pathways. In addition, the expression level of ABA receptor genes, regulation of transcription factors, and a coexpression network analysis were conducted using transcriptome data. We found that ABA receptors regulated downstream gene expression by activating bZIP and NAC transcription factors to improve cold resistance and winter survival.ConclusionThis study provides comprehensive transcriptome data for the characterization of overwintering-related gene expression profiles in A. mongolicum. Genomics resources can help provide a better understanding of the overwintering mechanism for perennial gramineae species. By analyzing genome-wide expression patterns for the four key stages of tiller bud development, the functional characteristics of the DEGs were identified that participated in various metabolic pathways and have been shown to be strongly associated with cold tolerance. These results can be further exploited to determine the mechanism of overwintering in perennial gramineae species.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12870-017-1086-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Integrated analysis of small RNAs, transcriptome and degradome sequencing reveal the drought stress network in Agropyron mongolicum Keng

“…Agropyron mongolicum (Poaceae, 2 n = 2 x = 14), a representative member of Agropyron , is an excellent perennial grazing grass in the arid steppe, which has soft stems and leaves, a highly developed root system, early greening, strong tillering ability, good palatability, adaptability, and is known for its strong drought resistance ( Zhao et al, 2010b ; Zhang et al, 2019 ). It can be used for pasture and ecological restoration in cold and arid regions and provides superior gene resources to breed drought resistance and improve forage and wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) crops ( Du et al, 2017a ). However, the molecular drought resistance mechanism of A. mongolicum is still in its infancy and merits more attention and urgent research work.…”

Molecular Mechanism of Cold Tolerance of Centipedegrass Based on the Transcriptome

“…These proteins can regulate the binding of RNA polymerase to DNA templates, thereby regulating gene transcription. In this study, a total of 12,165 sequences belonging to 5178 TF families were identified in 127,142 full-length transcript sequences using iTAK software [ 20 ] ( Figure S4 ).…”

“…China is one of the countries with the most abundant varieties of warm-season turfgrasses in the world, but low temperatures limit the promotion of warm-season turfgrasses in northern China. To cope with cold stress, warm-season turfgrass must adjust its morphological, physiological, biochemical and metabolic processes to survive [ 20 ]. To identify the key genes that contribute to centipedegrass cold resistance, we treated the grass with low-temperature stress and carried out transcriptome sequencing and physiological index determination.…”

“…Hormone signal transduction pathways were widely discussed among the major contributors to the plant cold response. Signal transduction in plant cells includes intracellular signal transduction, signal transmembrane conversion on the cell membrane, intercellular signal transmission and protein phosphorylation [ 20 ]. Under cold stress, the expression of cyclic nucleotide-gated channel ( CNGC17) decreased, and the intracellular Ca 2+ concentration increased [ 21 ]; then, the corresponding calcium signal was generated after the regulation of relevant transporters.…”

Functional Analysis of Three miRNAs in Agropyron mongolicum Keng under Drought Stress

“…It has been playing an important role in reseeding natural pasture and seeding artificial grassland in China, especially in arid and semi-arid areas of northern China [5]. Moreover, its cold resistance, drought resistance, salt tolerance, resistance to diseases and pests, and excellent resistance genes provide a genetic resource for genetic modification of food crops (such as wheat and barley) [6]. In past decades, many studies have focused on the classification, genetic diversity, distant hybridization, and double breeding of A. mongolicum.…”