Transcriptome and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Regulatory Networks Controlling Maize Stomatal Development in Response to Blue Light.

Tiedong Liu,Xiwen Zhang

doi:10.3390/ijms22105393

Abstract

(1) Background: Blue light is important for the formation of maize stomata, but the signal network remains unclear. (2) Methods: We replaced red light with blue light in an experiment and provided a complementary regulatory network for the stomatal development of maize by using transcriptome and metabolomics analysis. (3) Results: Exposure to blue light led to 1296 differentially expressed genes and 419 differential metabolites. Transcriptome comparisons and correlation signaling network analysis detected 55 genes, and identified 6 genes that work in the regulation of the HY5 module and MAPK cascade, that interact with PTI1, COI1, MPK2, and MPK3, in response to the substitution of blue light in environmental adaptation and signaling transduction pathways. Metabolomics analysis showed that two genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis and starch and sucrose metabolism participate in stomatal development. Their signaling sites located on the PHI1 and MPK2 sites of the MAPK cascade respond to blue light signaling. (4) Conclusions: Blue light remarkably changed the transcriptional signal transduction and metabolism of metabolites, and eight obtained genes worked in the HY5 module and MAPK cascade.

Highlights

The stomata is a specialized epidermal cell structure distributed on the leaf and stem surface of terrestrial plants
Transcriptome comparisons and correlation signaling network analysis detected 55 genes, and identified 6 genes that work in the regulation of the HY5 module and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, that interact with PTI1, COI1, MPK2, and MPK3, in response to the substitution of blue light in environmental adaptation and signaling transduction pathways
Metabolomics analysis showed that two genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis and starch and sucrose metabolism participate in stomatal development

Summary

Introduction

The stomata is a specialized epidermal cell structure distributed on the leaf and stem surface of terrestrial plants. It is an important channel for the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, and heat between plants and the environment. Plant sense outside changes of gas, water, heat, and light, and collaborate with endogenous factors by finely adjusting the stomatal number to optimize the exchange of gas, water, and heat to adapt to the environment. The unpredictability of environmental factors and the complexity of reacting internal signals bring great challenges to the research on the regulated signaling network of stomatal formation. The cell fate, structure formation, and cell cycle of the leaf stomatal lineage cells of monocotyledons, such as Gramineous maize, are quite different from those of dicotyledonous plants [1]

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Discussion

Conclusion