Integrating Transcriptional, Metabolic, and Physiological Responses to Drought Stress in Ilex paraguariensis Roots

• Published in: Plants (Basel) Vol. 12; no. 13; p. 2404
• Main Authors: Avico, Edgardo H, Acevedo, Raúl M, Duarte, María J, Rodrigues Salvador, Acácio, Nunes-Nesi, Adriano, Ruiz, Oscar A, Sansberro, Pedro A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 21.06.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Abscisic acid; Abscission; Amino acids; Cell membranes; Cellulose; Dehydration; Dioxygenase; Drought; Drought resistance; drought stress response; Gene expression; Ilex paraguariensis; Metabolism; Metabolites; Morphology; Physiological responses; Physiology; Plants (botany); RNA-seq; root transcriptome; Signal transduction; Transcription; Water deprivation; Water shortages; Water stress; Water uptake; root transcriptome; Ilex paraguariensis; RNA-seq; drought stress response
• ISSN: 2223-7747; 2223-7747
• DOI: 10.3390/plants12132404

The appearance of water stress episodes triggers leaf abscission and decreases yield. To explore the mechanisms that allow it to overcome dehydration, we investigated how the root gene expression varied between water-stressed and non-stressed plants and how the modulation of gene expression was linked to metabolite composition and physiological status. After water deprivation, 5160 differentially expressed transcripts were obtained through RNA-seq. The functional enrichment of induced transcripts revealed significant transcriptional remodelling of stress-related perception, signalling, transcription, and metabolism. Simultaneously, the induction of the enzyme 9-cis-expoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) transcripts reflected the central role of the hormone abscisic acid in this response. Consequently, the total content of amino acids and soluble sugars increased, and that of starch decreased. Likewise, osmotic adjustment and radical growth were significantly promoted to preserve cell membranes and water uptake. This study provides a valuable resource for future research to understand the molecular adaptation of plants under drought conditions and facilitates the exploration of drought-tolerant candidate genes.