Identification of temporally distributed candidate genes for high iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiency causes a major global public health issues. Increasing micronutrient content through biofortification can be achieved by exploring molecular regulatory networks for micronutrients metabolism in cereal crops. The present study provides regulatory gene networks for micronutrients homeostasis through transcriptome analysis at two seed developmental stages (14 and 28 days after anthesis) in three micronutrients variant wheat genotypes, ‘FAR 4’, ‘HD 3226’ and ‘K 8027’ at Illumina Hiseq-2500 platform. Differential gene expression (DGE) with gene ontology and KEGG pathway analysis, revealed the role of iron binding protein ferritin, nicotianamine synthase, and Yellow Stripe-Like transporters in maintaining higher grain micronutrient contents in ‘FAR 4’ genotype. The gene regulatory network analysis suggested the possible interactions between the protein and associated transcription factors and revealed NAC TFs, as the major regulatory factor in ‘FAR 4’ responsible for micronutrient homeostasis. Further, 11 F-box and 12 NBS-LRR disease resistance protein genes were abundant transcriptionally across the two seed development stages in all these wheat genotypes. The potential candidate genes may be further exploited to increase the micronutrient contents in cereal grains making them more nutrition for human consumption.