Study on molecular response of alfalfa to low temperature stress based on transcriptomic analysis
Abstract Background Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important high-quality forage crop. Low temperature is an abiotic stress factor that affects the distribution and productivity of alfalfa. To further understand the molecular response to low temperature, and to identify additional genes and meta...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | BMC Plant Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05987-5 |
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| author | Hongyu Xu Zipei Zhang Qingcui Zhao Yaqi Gao Yan Xiang Jialong Chai Yuying Li Xiangyang Hou |
| author_facet | Hongyu Xu Zipei Zhang Qingcui Zhao Yaqi Gao Yan Xiang Jialong Chai Yuying Li Xiangyang Hou |
| author_sort | Hongyu Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important high-quality forage crop. Low temperature is an abiotic stress factor that affects the distribution and productivity of alfalfa. To further understand the molecular response to low temperature, and to identify additional genes and metabolic pathways associated with cold tolerance in alfalfa, in this study we conducted transcriptome sequencing, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and quantitative real-time PCR validation in alfalfa cultivars subjected to low-temperature treatment. Results Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed that three gene modules were significantly negatively correlated with the semi-lethal temperature for alfalfa. Genes in the three modules were used to construct gene co-expression networks, from which MS.gene46105, MS.gene044087, MS.gene76894, MS.gene44620, MS.gene22005, MS.gene045060, MS.gene31405, and MS.gene74761 were selected as important genes associated with cold tolerance. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of these eight genes validated the reliability of the transcriptome sequencing data. In addition, further analysis of the genes within the three modules revealed that several transcription factors (AP2/ERF, bZIP, C3H, NAC, and others) and metabolic pathways (N-glycan biosynthesis, citrate cycle, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and carbon metabolism, and others) responded well to the low temperature. Conclusions Three gene modules, eight genes, several transcription factors and multiple metabolic pathways associated with cold tolerance were screened. This results will provide a valuable reference for further clarification of the cold tolerance mechanism and breeding for cold tolerance in alfalfa. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1172c001eb31403cad6c68bc3d11127e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2229 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Plant Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-1172c001eb31403cad6c68bc3d11127e2024-12-29T12:15:10ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292024-12-0124111510.1186/s12870-024-05987-5Study on molecular response of alfalfa to low temperature stress based on transcriptomic analysisHongyu Xu0Zipei Zhang1Qingcui Zhao2Yaqi Gao3Yan Xiang4Jialong Chai5Yuying Li6Xiangyang Hou7College of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural UniversityCollege of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural UniversityCollege of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural UniversityCollege of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural UniversityCollege of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural UniversityCollege of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural UniversityCollege of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural UniversityCollege of Grassland Science, Shanxi Agricultural UniversityAbstract Background Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important high-quality forage crop. Low temperature is an abiotic stress factor that affects the distribution and productivity of alfalfa. To further understand the molecular response to low temperature, and to identify additional genes and metabolic pathways associated with cold tolerance in alfalfa, in this study we conducted transcriptome sequencing, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and quantitative real-time PCR validation in alfalfa cultivars subjected to low-temperature treatment. Results Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed that three gene modules were significantly negatively correlated with the semi-lethal temperature for alfalfa. Genes in the three modules were used to construct gene co-expression networks, from which MS.gene46105, MS.gene044087, MS.gene76894, MS.gene44620, MS.gene22005, MS.gene045060, MS.gene31405, and MS.gene74761 were selected as important genes associated with cold tolerance. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of these eight genes validated the reliability of the transcriptome sequencing data. In addition, further analysis of the genes within the three modules revealed that several transcription factors (AP2/ERF, bZIP, C3H, NAC, and others) and metabolic pathways (N-glycan biosynthesis, citrate cycle, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and carbon metabolism, and others) responded well to the low temperature. Conclusions Three gene modules, eight genes, several transcription factors and multiple metabolic pathways associated with cold tolerance were screened. This results will provide a valuable reference for further clarification of the cold tolerance mechanism and breeding for cold tolerance in alfalfa.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05987-5AlfalfaLow temperatureCold toleranceMolecular responseWeighted gene co-expression network analysis |
| spellingShingle | Hongyu Xu Zipei Zhang Qingcui Zhao Yaqi Gao Yan Xiang Jialong Chai Yuying Li Xiangyang Hou Study on molecular response of alfalfa to low temperature stress based on transcriptomic analysis BMC Plant Biology Alfalfa Low temperature Cold tolerance Molecular response Weighted gene co-expression network analysis |
| title | Study on molecular response of alfalfa to low temperature stress based on transcriptomic analysis |
| title_full | Study on molecular response of alfalfa to low temperature stress based on transcriptomic analysis |
| title_fullStr | Study on molecular response of alfalfa to low temperature stress based on transcriptomic analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Study on molecular response of alfalfa to low temperature stress based on transcriptomic analysis |
| title_short | Study on molecular response of alfalfa to low temperature stress based on transcriptomic analysis |
| title_sort | study on molecular response of alfalfa to low temperature stress based on transcriptomic analysis |
| topic | Alfalfa Low temperature Cold tolerance Molecular response Weighted gene co-expression network analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05987-5 |
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