Monitoring Transcriptomic Changes in Soil-Grown Roots and Shoots of Arabidopsis thaliana Subjected to a Progressive Drought Stress.

Abstract

Numerous experiments have been performed in Arabidopsis to monitor changes in gene expression that occur in response to a variety of abiotic and biotic stresses, different growth conditions, and at various developmental stages. In addition, gene expression patterns have also been characterized among wild-type and mutant genotypes. Despite these numerous reports, transcriptional changes occurring in roots of soil-grown plants subjected to a progressive drought stress have remained undocumented. To fill this gap, we established a system that allows one to establish water-deficit conditions and to collect root and shoot samples with minimal damage to the root system. Arabidopsis plants are grown in a ceramic-based granular soil and subjected to progressive drought stress by withholding water. Root and shoot samples were collected separately, RNA was purified, and a microarray analysis of drought-stressed roots and shoots was performed at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9days after the onset of drought stress treatment. Here, we describe the detailed protocol used to analyze the transcriptomic changes occurring in roots and shoots of soil-grown Arabidopsis subjected to a progressive drought stress.