Integrating gene expression analysis and ecophysiological responses to water deficit in leaves of tomato plants
Scientific Reports, vol. 14, pp. 29024
Abstract
Soil water deficit (WD) significantly impacts plant survival and crop yields. Many gaps remain in our understanding of the synergistic coordination between molecular and ecophysiological responses delaying substantial drought-induced effects on plant growth. To investigate this synergism in tomato leaves, we combined molecular, ecophysiological, and anatomical methods to examine gene expression patterns and physio-anatomical characteristics during a progressing WD experiment. Four sampling points were selected for transcriptomic analysis based on the key ecophysiological responses of the tomato leaves: 4 and 5 days after WD (d-WD), corresponding to 10% and 90% decrease in leaf stomatal conductance; 8 d-WD, the leaf wilting point; and 10 d-WD, when air embolism blocks 12% of the leaf xylem water transport. At 4 d-WD, upregulated genes were mostly linked to ABA-independent responses, with larger-scale ABA-dependent responses occurring at 5 d-WD. At 8 d-WD, we observed an upregulation of heat shock transcription factors, and two days later (10 d-WD), we found a strong upregulation of oxidative stress transcription factors. Finally, we found that young leaves present a stronger dehydration tolerance than mature leaves at the same drought intensity level, presumably because young leaves upregulate genes related to increased callose deposition resulting in limiting water loss to the phloem, and related to increased cell rigidity by modifying cell wall structures. This combined dataset will serve as a framework for future studies that aim to obtain a more holistic WD plant response at the molecular, ecophysiological and anatomical level.
Authors 7
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University of Lausanne · École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne · Naturalis Biodiversity Center
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
Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Haus 20, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
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Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement · Université de Bordeaux · UMR BIOdiversity, GEnes & Communities · Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Affiliation as printed
BIOGECO, INRAE, 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
Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, Haus 20, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
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Leiden University · Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
Affiliation as printed
Institute Biology Leiden, Sylvius Laboratory, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands. s.balazadeh@biology.leidenuniv.nl
Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Potsdam, Germany. s.balazadeh@biology.leidenuniv.nl
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
Institute Biology Leiden, Sylvius Laboratory, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands. frederic.lens@naturalis.nl
Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Research Group Functional Traits, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands. frederic.lens@naturalis.nl
Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Research Group Functional Traits, PO Box 9517, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
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