An integrative Study Showing the Adaptation to Sub-Optimal Growth Conditions of Natural Populations of Arabidopsis thaliana: A Focus on Cell Wall Changes.

Christophe Dunand,Vincent Burlat,Michel Zivy,Cécile Albenne,Harold Duruflé,Philippe Ranocha,Sébastien Déjean,Thierry Balliau,Elisabeth Jamet

doi:10.3390/cells9102249

Abstract

In the global warming context, plant adaptation occurs, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly described. Studying natural variation of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana adapted to various environments along an altitudinal gradient should contribute to the identification of new traits related to adaptation to contrasted growth conditions. The study was focused on the cell wall (CW) which plays major roles in the response to environmental changes. Rosettes and floral stems of four newly-described populations collected at different altitudinal levels in the Pyrenees Mountains were studied in laboratory conditions at two growth temperatures (22 vs. 15 °C) and compared to the well-described Col ecotype. Multi-omic analyses combining phenomics, metabolomics, CW proteomics, and transcriptomics were carried out to perform an integrative study to understand the mechanisms of plant adaptation to contrasted growth temperature. Different developmental responses of rosettes and floral stems were observed, especially at the CW level. In addition, specific population responses are shown in relation with their environment and their genetics. Candidate genes or proteins playing roles in the CW dynamics were identified and will deserve functional validation. Using a powerful framework of data integration has led to conclusions that could not have been reached using standard statistical approaches.

Highlights

In the global warming context, temperature fluctuations will be major concerns [1]
We have selected four A. thaliana populations (Roch, Grip, Hern and Hosp) among the 30 new populations collected in the Pyrenees Mountains recently characterized [38]
They constitute four independent homogeneous populations originating from various altitudes (Table 1) and they do not belong to the genetic cluster of Columbia ecotype (Col) which was taken as a reference ecotype

Summary

Introduction

In the global warming context, temperature fluctuations will be major concerns [1]. Local adaptation is defined as the response of natural populations following their interactions with their environmental conditions. Without any preceding chilling period, associated to sudden elevations of temperature, are critical for plant development. Coping with thermal constraints will be a major challenge to maintain agricultural productivity by doing a selection of warm-adapted and cold-resistant species [2]. Looking at natural variations within wild species is crucial to elucidating the molecular bases of the phenotypic adaptation [3].

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Discussion

Conclusion