Abstract
To establish a gene co-expression network for identifying principal modules and hub genes that are associated with drought resistance mechanisms, analyzing their mechanisms, and exploring candidate genes. 42 data sets including PRJNA380841 and PRJNA369686 were used to construct the co-expression network through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). A total of 1,896,897,901 (284.30 Gb) clean reads and 35,021 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained from 42 samples. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that photosynthesis, DNA replication, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and cell cycle were significantly influenced by drought stress. Furthermore, the DEGs with similar expression patterns, detected by K-means clustering, were grouped into 29 clusters. Genes involved in the modules, such as dark turquoise, yellow, and brown, were found to be appreciably linked with drought resistance. Twelve central, greatly correlated genes in stage-specific modules were subsequently confirmed and validated at the transcription levels, including TraesCS7D01G417600.1 (PP2C), TraesCS5B01G565300.1 (ERF), TraesCS4A01G068200.1 (HSP), TraesCS2D01G033200.1 (HSP90), TraesCS6B01G425300.1 (RBD), TraesCS7A01G499200.1 (P450), TraesCS4A01G118400.1 (MYB), TraesCS2B01G415500.1 (STK), TraesCS1A01G129300.1 (MYB), TraesCS2D01G326900.1 (ALDH), TraesCS3D01G227400.1 (WRKY), and TraesCS3B01G144800.1 (GT). Analyzing the response of wheat to drought stress during different growth stages, we have detected three modules and 12 hub genes that are associated with drought resistance mechanisms, and five of those genes are newly identified for drought resistance. The references provided by these modules will promote the understanding of the drought-resistance mechanism. In addition, the candidate genes can be used as a basis of transgenic or molecular marker-assisted selection for improving the drought resistance and increasing the yields of wheat.
Highlights
Wheat is one of the essential commodity crops feeding 20% of the population world [1, 2], and provides critical protection for a healthy global diet [3]
Analyzing the response of wheat to drought stress during different growth stages, we have detected three modules and 12 hub genes that are associated with drought resistance mechanisms, and five of those genes are newly identified for drought resistance
Drought-resistant wheat varieties can alleviate the changes in stomatal closure, growth inhibition, photosynthesis and hormone composition caused by drought through osmotic regulation, reactive oxygen scavenging system and stomatal closure [14, 15]
Summary
Wheat is one of the essential commodity crops feeding 20% of the population world [1, 2], and provides critical protection for a healthy global diet [3]. The primary reason why the global yields of wheat have merely been enhanced by 1.0% per year is majority wheat growing in rainfed environments [4]. Drought and heat stress negatively influence the yield and quality of wheat at the critical stages of plant development (flowering and grain formation) [5,6,7,8]. With the increasing impact of heat and drought stresses in major wheat-producing belts, the annual wheat supply is likely to be challenged, reducing an estimated 40% per year [5, 9]. Drought-resistant wheat varieties can alleviate the changes in stomatal closure, growth inhibition, photosynthesis and hormone composition caused by drought through osmotic regulation, reactive oxygen scavenging system and stomatal closure [14, 15]
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