Whole-Genome and Expression Analyses of Bamboo Aquaporin Genes Reveal Their Functions Involved in Maintaining Diurnal Water Balance in Bamboo Shoots

Abstract

Water supply is essential for maintaining normal physiological function during the rapid growth of bamboo. Aquaporins (AQPs) play crucial roles in water transport for plant growth and development. Although 26 PeAQPs in bamboo have been reported, the aquaporin-led mechanism of maintaining diurnal water balance in bamboo shoots remains unclear. In this study, a total of 63 PeAQPs were identified, based on the updated genome of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), including 22 PePIPs, 20 PeTIPs, 17 PeNIPs, and 4 PeSIPs. All of the PeAQPs were differently expressed in 26 different tissues of moso bamboo, based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data. The root pressure in shoots showed circadian rhythm changes, with positive values at night and negative values in the daytime. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) result showed that 25 PeAQPs were detected in the base part of the shoots, and most of them demonstrated diurnal rhythm changes. The expression levels of some PeAQPs were significantly correlated with the root pressure. Of the 86 sugar transport genes, 33 had positive co-expression relationships with 27 PeAQPs. Two root pressure-correlated PeAQPs, PeTIP4;1 and PeTIP4;2, were confirmed to be highly expressed in the parenchyma and epidermal cells of bamboo culm, and in the epidermis, pith, and primary xylem of bamboo roots by in situ hybridization. The authors’ findings provide new insights and a possible aquaporin-led mechanism for bamboo fast growth.

Genome-Wide Characterization and Gene Expression Analyses of GATA Transcription Factors in Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis)

“…Moreover, bamboo is known for its fast-growing shoots and widespread rhizomes [2]. It has been reported that several gene families are involved in flower development and abiotic stress [30][31][32]37]; however, the rapid-growth associated transcription factors remain elusive. The genome sequences of moso bamboo [36] and transcriptome studies [2,27,28,34] provide important platforms for the identification of rapid-growth shoot and rhizome development associated gene families.…”

Genome-wide analysis of GATA factors in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) unveils that PeGATAs regulate shoot rapid-growth and rhizome development

“…Moreover, bamboo is known for its fast-growing shoots and widespread rhizomes [2]. It has been reported that several gene families are involved in flower development and abiotic stress [30–32, 41], the rapid-growth associated transcription factors remain elusive. The genome sequences of moso bamboo[33] and transcriptome studies [2, 27, 28, 40] provide important platforms for the identification of rapid-growth shoot and rhizome development associated gene families.…”

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

“…Circadian rhythm changes were positive at night and negative in the daytime shown by root pressure. Coexpression network of PeAQPs and sugar transport genes SRX2408703-SRX2408728 Sun et al, 2018 Genes involved in regulating mechanism for internode growth were identified. Genes for cellulose and lignin biosynthesis pathways, hormone biosynthesis, and signal transduction were significantly expressed in the internodes of wild and shengyin bamboo.…”