Abstract
The dove tree (Davidia involucrata Baill.), a tertiary relic species, is adapted to cool climates. With the progression of global warming, high-temperature stress has become the primary environmental factor restricting geographic distribution, ex situ conservation, and landscape application for D. involucrata resources. However, the detailed molecular events underlying D. involucrata responses to heat stress are poorly understood. Here, we conducted RNA-Seq-based gene expression profiling in D. involucrata seedlings during the time course of a 42 °C heat treatment (0, 1, 6, and 12 h). After de novo assembly, we obtained 138,923 unigenes, of which 69,743 were annotated in public databases. Furthermore, 19,532, 20,497 and 27,716 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified after 1 h (HS1), 6 h (HS6), and 12 h (HS12) of heat treatment in comparison to 0 h (HS0), respectively. Based on a KEGG enrichment analysis, the two pathways “protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum” and “plant hormone signal transduction” are hypothesized to play vital roles during heat response in D. involucrata, and their potential interactions during heat stress are also discussed. In addition, 32 genes encoding putative heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) were found to be associated with the response of D. involucrata to heat stress. Finally, the expression patterns of eight heat-responsive genes derived from qRT-PCR were in agreement with their transcript level alterations, as determined by a transcriptome analysis. Taken together, our transcriptomic data provide the first comprehensive transcriptional profile affected by heat stress in D. involucrata, which will facilitate further studies on the improvement of heat tolerance in this rare and endangered species.
Highlights
Davidia involucrata Baill., the sole species placed in the genus Davidia in the family Davidiaceae, is a well-known ornamental plant called the “dove tree.” It is an endangered and rare relict tree species endemic to China with prominent scientific, horticultural, ecological, and medicinal values [1,2,3,4].Owing to the highly strict ecotope demand, the geographic distribution of D. involucrata populations is rare and scattered at high altitudes in southwestern and south-central China
To unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying D. involucrata responses to heat stress, we prepared twelve cDNA libraries from plant samples grown for 0 h (HS0), 1 h (HS1), 6 h (HS6) and 12 h (HS12) at 42 ◦ C
These results unequivocally revealed that both “protein processing in endoplasmic processing in endoplasmic reticulum,” 555, 390, and 424 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at HS1, HS6, and HS12, reticulum” and “plant hormone signal transduction” were enriched in all three respectively (Figure 5, Figure S1, and Table S6)
Summary
Davidia involucrata Baill., the sole species placed in the genus Davidia in the family Davidiaceae, is a well-known ornamental plant called the “dove tree.” It is an endangered and rare relict tree species endemic to China with prominent scientific, horticultural, ecological, and medicinal values [1,2,3,4].Owing to the highly strict ecotope demand, the geographic distribution of D. involucrata populations is rare and scattered at high altitudes in southwestern and south-central China. Davidia involucrata Baill., the sole species placed in the genus Davidia in the family Davidiaceae, is a well-known ornamental plant called the “dove tree.”. It is an endangered and rare relict tree species endemic to China with prominent scientific, horticultural, ecological, and medicinal values [1,2,3,4]. Owing to the highly strict ecotope demand, the geographic distribution of D. involucrata populations is rare and scattered at high altitudes in southwestern and south-central China. D. involucrata is best adapted to cool climates, and high temperature is generally detrimental to its growth and development.
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