Comparative transcriptome analysis to reveal key drought-stress responsive genes in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)

ABSTRACT: Flowering pathways are accelerated for rapid production of flowers and seeds in response to drought in certain varieties of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). The objective of the present study was to identify potential drought responsive genes that affect flowering time in sorghum under drought stress. Sorghum germplasm accessions representing early, intermediate, and late flowering groups were selected, and drought stress was administered on 25-day old seedlings of the Drought-Stressed group (DS) by withdrawing water whilst the control group of plants were well-watered (WW). At anthesis, with the initiation of pollen shedding, flag leaf tissues were harvested, and total RNA was separately isolated from samples. Transcription profiles consisting of 60 base pairs, paired end reads from total RNA of each sample were explored using Illumina Genome Analyzer deep sequencing method. An average of 66,059,932 clean reads were mapped. Among 10,468 differentially expressed genes, a set of 126 genes was up-regulated, and a set of 61 genes was down-regulated in all comparisons. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed de novo purine biosynthesis and lipoate biosynthesis pathways and Wnt signaling pathway affecting differentially expressed sorghum genes in response to drought. Transcriptome level differences among early, intermediate and late flowering groups of sorghum under WW and DS conditions were efficiently explored in the present study using RNA sequence analysis tools. Candidate genes and pathways that might be used to improve drought tolerance in sorghum were identified. Findings of the present study would lead to new targets for enhancing drought stress tolerance in sorghum.

ORGANISM(S): Sorghum bicolor

PROVIDER: GSE274752 | GEO | 2026/06/16

REPOSITORIES: GEO