Abstract
Polyploid plants are more often invasive species than their diploid counterparts. As the invasiveness of a species is often linked to its production of allelopathic compounds, we hypothesize that differences in invasive ability between cytotypes may be due to their different ability to synthesize allelopathic metabolites. We test this using two cytotypes of Solidago canadensis as the model and use integrated metabolome and transcriptome data to resolve the question. Metabolome analysis identified 122 metabolites about flavonoids, phenylpropanoids and terpenoids, of which 57 were differentially accumulated between the two cytotypes. Transcriptome analysis showed that many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in ‘biosynthesis of secondary metabolites’, ‘plant hormone signal transduction’, and ‘MAPK signaling’, covering most steps of plant allelopathic metabolite synthesis. Importantly, the differentially accumulated flavonoids, phenylpropanoids and terpenoids were closely correlated with related DEGs. Furthermore, 30 miRNAs were found to be negatively associated with putative targets, and they were thought to be involved in target gene expression regulation. These miRNAs probably play a vital role in the regulation of metabolite synthesis in hexaploid S. canadensis. The two cytotypes of S. canadensis differ in the allelopathic metabolite synthesis and this difference is associated with regulation of expression of a range of genes. These results suggest that changes in gene expression may underlying the increased invasive potential of the polyploidy.
Highlights
IntroductionInvasive plants often cause biodiversity loss and serious damage to the ecosystem [1,2]
Invasive plants often cause biodiversity loss and serious damage to the ecosystem [1,2].Understanding how they invade ecosystems is a major challenge for many ecologists
The data from UPLC-Q-TOF-MS were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA), and the results showed that the two cytotypes clearly separated along the PC1, based on the cytotype tissue specificity (Figure 1)
Summary
Invasive plants often cause biodiversity loss and serious damage to the ecosystem [1,2]. Understanding how they invade ecosystems is a major challenge for many ecologists. Polyploidy is common in most flowering plants and may facilitate species invasiveness in agricultural systems and natural habitats [4] thanks to extensive changes in genetic make-up and morphological and physiological traits of the plants [5,6]. Some polyploid plants successfully and effectively settle in new habitats in highly fluctuating environments was due to their potential for invasion [7,8]. Polyploid plants have the ability to enhance the quantity of metabolites compared with diploid plants, such as Dendrobium and Cymbopogon [11,12]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
