Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis of gasa1 and gasa4 mutants in response to P.syringae infection in Arabidopsis

ABSTRACT:

The Gibberellic acid-stimulated Arabidopsis (GASA) gene family encodes a class of cysteine-rich proteins characterized by an N-terminal signal peptide and a conserved C-terminal GASA domain containing 12 cysteine (Cys) residues. These plant-specific small proteins have been identified across various species, where they primarily regulate plant growth and abiotic stress responses. However, the molecular mechanisms by which AtGASA1 and AtGASA4 contribute to Arabidopsis immunity against P.syringae remain unclear. In this study, we found that the gasa1 and gasa4 mutants exhibited increased susceptibility to P. syringae infection compared to Col-0. To elucidate these roles in plant immunity, we performed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Transcriptomic profiling identified 957 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the gasa1 and gasa4 mutants upon pathogen infection, with significant enrichment in plant-pathogen interaction, glycerolipid metabolism, and MAPK signaling pathways. Metabolomic analysis revealed 900 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), enriched in pathways including ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, and biosynthesis of cofactors. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses further demonstrated that DEGs and DAMs were co-enriched in key pathways, including plant hormone signal transduction, biosynthesis of various plant secondary metabolites, and cysteine and methionine metabolism. Notably, within the plant hormone signal transduction pathway, we found that AtGASA1 and AtGASA4 regulate the expression of multiple genes involved in the salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway, such as ICS1, EDS1, PAD4, PR1, and PR5. Consistently, SA levels in the gasa1 and gasa4 mutants were significantly lower than in Col-0. Our findings provide new insights into the immune functions of AtGASA1 and AtGASA4 in plant immunity against P. syringae infection.

INSTRUMENT(S): Liquid Chromatography MS - negative - reverse phase, Liquid Chromatography MS - positive - reverse phase

PROVIDER: MTBLS12780 | MetaboLights | 2025-07-27

REPOSITORIES: MetaboLights