Abstract

With global warming as a major environment concern over the coming years, heat tolerance is an important trait for forest tree survival during the predicted future warmer weather conditions. Cryptomeria japonica is a coniferous species widely distributed throughout Japan, and thus, can adapt to a wide range of air temperatures. To elucidate genes involved in heat response in Cryptomeria japonica, transcriptome analysis was conducted for seedlings under heat shock conditions. To test whether heat acclimation affects levels of gene expression, half of the seedlings were pretreated with moderately high temperatures prior to heat shock. De novo assembly of the transcriptome generated 107,924 unigenes and the analysis of differentially expressed genes was conducted using these unigenes. A total of 5217 differentially expressed genes were identified. Most genes upregulated by heat shock, regardless of pre-heat treatment, were conserved to heat response genes of angiosperm species, such as heat shock factors (Hsf) and heat shock proteins (Hsp). Pre-heating of seedlings affected expression levels of several Hsfs and their induction was lower in pre-heated seedlings than in seedlings without pre-heat treatment. This suggests a conserved role of Hsfs in heat response and heat acclimation in seed plants. On the other hand, many unknown genes were upregulated in only seedlings without pre-heat treatment after heat exposure. Notably, expression of gypsy/Ty3 type retrotransposons was dramatically induced. These findings provide valuable information to develop a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of heat response and acclimation in C. japonica.

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 call

Disclaimer: 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.