Transcriptome profiling reveals the crucial biological pathways involved in cold response in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)

Abstract

Most bamboo species including Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) are tropical or subtropical plants that greatly contribute to human well-being. Low temperature is one of the main environmental factors restricting bamboo growth and geographic distribution. Our knowledge of the molecular changes during bamboo adaption to cold stress remains limited. Here, we provided a general overview of the cold-responsive transcriptional profiles in Moso bamboo by systematically analyzing its transcriptomic response under cold stress. Our results showed that low temperature induced strong morphological and biochemical alternations in Moso bamboo. To examine the global gene expression changes in response to cold, 12 libraries (non-treated, cold-treated 0.5, 1 and 24 h at −2 °C) were sequenced using an Illumina sequencing platform. Only a few differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at early stage, while a large number of DEGs were identified at late stage in this study, suggesting that the majority of cold response genes in bamboo are late-responsive genes. A total of 222 transcription factors from 24 different families were differentially expressed during 24-h cold treatment, and the expressions of several well-known C-repeat/dehydration responsive element-binding factor negative regulators were significantly upregulated in response to cold, indicating the existence of special cold response networks. Our data also revealed that the expression of genes related to cell wall and the biosynthesis of fatty acids were altered in response to cold stress, indicating their potential roles in the acquisition of bamboo cold tolerance. In summary, our studies showed that both plant kingdom-conserved and species-specific cold response pathways exist in Moso bamboo, which lays the foundation for studying the regulatory mechanisms underlying bamboo cold stress response and provides useful gene resources for the construction of cold-tolerant bamboo through genetic engineering in the future.

Genome-Wide Characterization and Evolutionary Analyses of Purple Acid Phosphatase (PAP) Gene Family with Their Expression Profiles in Response to Low Phosphorus Stresses in Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)

“…We have identified 17 PAP members in Moso bamboo, which is similar to the previously reported number of PAPs in chickpeas, tomatoes, and Jatropha curcas [33,52,55]. In view of the huge differences in genome size between these plant species, the proteins encoded by the PAP genes of the same species have greater conservation [56].…”

“…The seeds of Moso bamboo were thoroughly washed with sterile water and soaked in sterile water for 16 h and then germinated in the soil at 22 • C under long-day conditions (16 h of cool white, fluorescent light, photon flux of 70 µmol m −2 •s −1 ) [33]. Then, we irrigated the soil with 1/3 × Hoagland's normal phosphorus (1.0 mmol/L KH 2 PO 4 ) nutrient solution every three days.…”

Bamboo Forest Mapping in China Using the Dense Landsat 8 Image Archive and Google Earth Engine

“…The bamboo in the Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou and Shaanxi Provinces is mainly grown in the Sichuan Basin where the elevation ranges from 300 to 700 m. Influenced by human activities, such as reclamation, bamboo forest grows less in regions with an elevation lower than 200 m. Highland bamboo forests were also found in the Yunnan province. The limited elevation range of the distribution of bamboo forests is due to temperature decreasing as elevation increases [76,77].…”

Genetics and genomics of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis): Current status, future challenges, and biotechnological opportunities toward a sustainable bamboo industry

“…Furthermore, 35 members of trihelix transcription factors (TTFs) were observed to show higher expression in bamboo leaves and panicles in response to drought and salt stress treatments (Cheng, Xiong, et al, 2019). Liu, Wu, et al (2020) recently identified that TF responses to cold stress are specific to moso bamboo. Since the TFs act as regulatory switches for gene expression, both temporal and spatial, they are critical in understanding the fast growth, flowering behavior, and stress response in bamboos.…”

“…(2013) recommended TIP41 and NTB as reference genes for the reliable quantification of candidate gene expressions for moso bamboo. In a latest transcriptomic investigation, Liu, Wu, et al (2020) had elucidated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) on cold response in moso bamboo, identifying more late‐responsive genes than early‐responsive ones under cold exposure. As many as 222 TFs belonging to 24 families and several C‐repeat/dehydration‐responsive element‐binding factor (CBF) elements were found up‐regulated under cold stress implying the presence of a complex cold response network in moso bamboo.…”