Metabolomic analysis of wild and transgenic Nicotiana langsdorffii plants exposed to abiotic stresses: unraveling metabolic responses

Abstract

Nicotiana langsdorffii plants, wild and transgenic for the Agrobacterium rhizogenes rol C gene and the rat glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene, were exposed to different abiotic stresses (high temperature, water deficit, and high chromium concentrations). An untargeted metabolomic analysis was carried out in order to investigate the metabolic effects of the inserted genes in response to the applied stresses and to obtain a comprehensive profiling of metabolites induced during abiotic stresses. High-performance liquid chromatography separation (HPLC) coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) enabled the identification of more than 200 metabolites, and statistical analysis highlighted the most relevant compounds for each plant treatment. The plants exposed to heat stress showed a unique set of induced secondary metabolites, some of which were known while others were not previously reported for this kind of stress; significant changes were observed especially in lipid composition. The role of trichome, as a protection against heat stress, is here suggested by the induction of both acylsugars and glykoalkaloids. Water deficit and Cr(VI) stresses resulted mainly in enhanced antioxidant (HCAs, polyamine) levels and in the damage of lipids, probably as a consequence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Moreover, the ability of rol C expression to prevent oxidative burst was confirmed. The results highlighted a clear influence of GR modification on plant stress response, especially to water deficiency-a phenomenon whose applications should be further investigated. This study provides new insights into the field of system biology and demonstrates the importance of metabolomics in the study of plant functioning.

Heat Stress Modulates Mycelium Growth, Heat Shock Protein Expression, Ganoderic Acid Biosynthesis, and Hyphal Branching of Ganoderma lucidum via Cytosolic Ca 2+

“…In a previous study, after suffering from high temperatures, sulfoquinovosylmonoacylglycerols (SQMG), sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerols (SQDG), glycoalkaloids, and other secondary metabolites increased in Nicotiana langsdorffii (44). Similar results were shown in our study, where the GA content increased significantly in heat-stressed strains, and the levels of the intermediate products squalene and lanosterol also increased.…”

Inorganic markers profiling in wild type and genetically modified plants subjected to abiotic stresses

“…Data on changes in hormonal endogenous content are reported in Fuoco et al [17], while changes in sugars and phenolic compounds or heavy metals accumulation are showed by Del Bubba et al [18] and Ancillotti et al [19]. A deep analysis of metabolomic patterns [20] and changes in terpenoids and ionomic profiles [21,22] were also reported. In this paper we obtained new data both on the effects of different stresses and of the presence of a genetic modification on the plant response.…”

Temperature-induced changes in the wheat phosphoproteome reveal temperature-regulated interconversion of phosphoforms

“…This leads to biosynthesis of HEAT SHOCK PROTEINs (HSPs), synthesis of antioxidants, and accumulation of osmoprotectants and solutes to reduce the negative effects of heat stress (Farooq et al ., 2011). For example, levels of various compounds that are beneficial for the plant during heat stress and known to protect the photosynthesis system increase in conditions of elevated temperature in Arabidopsis thaliana , wheat, and maize (Guy et al , 2008; Scalabrin et al , 2015; Qi et al , 2017). …”