Integrating Gene Expression Analysis and Ecophysiological Responses to Water Deficit in Leaves of Tomato Plants
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Abstract
Abstract Soil water deficit (WD) is one of the most important abiotic stresses affecting plant survival and crop yield. Despite its economic relevance, many gaps remain in our understanding of how crops respond to WD, especially concerning the synergistic coordination of molecular and ecophysiological adaptations delaying plant damage and mortality. In this study, we investigated the gene expression imposed by a progressive WD and combined it with measurements pointing to key ecophysiological thresholds in leaves of tomato plants. We uncovered the transcriptomic changes in mature leaves at four stages defined by physiological markers relating to different WD intensities: partial stomatal closure, complete stomatal closure, after leaf wilting, and beginning of embolism development in the veins. By identifying key transcription factors (TFs) across these progressively worsening WD stages, we investigated the timing and impact of ABA-(in)dependent gene regulatory pathways during WD. In addition, we compared the transcriptome in young developing versus mature leaves and explored the physiological mechanisms that may explain the higher tolerance to dehydration in younger leaves. By correlating the transcriptomic changes to precise ecophysiological measurements, the combined dataset will serve as a framework for future studies comparing leaf molecular and physiological responses to WD at specific intensities. Highlight Integrated ecophysiological and gene expression analyses identify key mechanisms underlying the different thresholds of tomato responses to water deficit
Authors 7
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Naturalis Biodiversity Center · École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne · University of Lausanne
Affiliation as printed
Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Research Group Functional Traits, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
Plant Ecology Research Laboratory, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
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University of Potsdam · Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
Affiliation as printed
Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Haus 20, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
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Naturalis Biodiversity Center · Université de Bordeaux · UMR BIOdiversity, GEnes & Communities
Affiliation as printed
BIOGECO, INRA, Université de Bordeaux, 33615 Pessac, France
Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Research Group Functional Traits, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Research Group Functional Traits, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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University of Potsdam · Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
Affiliation as printed
Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Haus 20, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
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Leiden University · Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
Affiliation as printed
Leiden University, Institute Biology Leiden, Sylvius Laboratory, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
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Frederic Lens corresponding Aachen Institute Biology Leiden Sylvius Laboratory Naturalis Biodiversity Center Research Group Functional Traits
Leiden University · Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Affiliation as printed
Leiden University, Institute Biology Leiden, Sylvius Laboratory, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Research Group Functional Traits, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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