Transcriptomic analysis of the heat-stress response in Boechera depauperata and Arabidopsis reveals a distinct and unusual heat-stress response in Boechera

Abstract

Global surface temperatures are expected to rise throughout the 21st century and will negatively impact plant growth and reproduction. Thus, it is imperative that we deepen our understanding of plant thermotolerance. The examination of native plant species that have evolved tolerance to high temperatures can provide crucial information on how plants can adapt to climate change. Boechera (Brassicaceae), a large genus that is native to North America, is highly thermotolerant and can maintain photosynthetic activity at high temperatures. Here we report results of transcriptomic studies that seek to reveal possible thermotolerance mechanisms in B. depauperata. Analysis of RNA-seq datasets from heat stressed B. depauperata and Arabidopsis thaliana plants identified significant differences in how each of these species responds to identical heat stress conditions. The most highly upregulated heat-stress genes in A. thaliana includes the well-characterized heat-shock genes. In contrast, the Boechera heat stress response is composed of: novel genes that lack orthologs in other genomes, genes coding for proteins of uncharacterized function, and genes coding for proteins associated with the unfolded protein and ER stress responses. In addition, genes that are protective of photosynthetic capacity are also differentially upregulated in B. depauperata.

Research progress on Brassicaceae plants: a bibliometrics analysis

“…The study found that Arabidopsis mutants lacking PIFs transcription factors exhibited elongation and rapid growth cessation in simulated shading experiments. More and more scientists were placing greater emphasis on the relationship between plants and the environment, especially in terms of climate ( Méndez-Vigo et al., 2019 ; Pierce et al., 2020 ). Therefore, in the future, Arabidopsis thaliana research at the micro level holds the promise of providing a basis for improving the global environment.…”

“…between plants and the environment, especially in terms of climate (Meńdez-Vigo et al, 2019;Pierce et al, 2020). Therefore, in the future, Arabidopsis thaliana research at the micro level holds the promise of providing a basis for improving the global environment.…”