Project description:High temperature (HT) stress is a major environmental stress that limits cotton growth, metabolism, and yield worldwide. The identification and characterization of thermotolerance is restricted by the plant growth environment and growth stage. In this study, four genotypes of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) with known field thermotolerance were evaluated under normal and HTs at the seedlings stage in a growth cabinet with 11 physiological, biochemical, and phenotypic assays. Consistent with previous field observations, the thermotolerance could be identified by genotype differences at the seedling stage under HT in a growth cabinet. Comparative transcriptome analysis was performed on seedlings of two contrasting cotton genotypes after 4 and 8 hours of HT exposure. Gene ontology analysis combined with BLAST annotations revealed a large number of HT-induced differentially expressed genes (4,698) that either exhibited higher expression levels in the heat-tolerant genotype (Nan Dan Ba Di Da Hua) compared with the heat-sensitive genotype (Earlistaple 7), or were differentially expressed only in Nan Dan Ba Di Da Hua. These genes encoded mainly protein kinases, transcription factors, and heat shock proteins, which were considered to play key roles in thermotolerance in upland cotton. Two heat shock transcription factor genes (homologs of AtHsfA3, AtHsfC1) and AP2/EREBP family genes (homologs of AtERF20, AtERF026, AtERF053, and AtERF113) were identified as possible key regulators of thermotolerance in cotton. Some of the differentially expressed genes were validated by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Our findings provide candidate genes that could be used to improve thermotolerance in cotton cultivars.
Project description:Purpose:Identification of genes and miRNAs responsible for salt tolerance in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) would help reveal the molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance. We performed physiological experiments and transcriptome sequencing (mRNA-seq and small RNA-seq) of cotton leaves under salt stress using Illumina sequencing technology. And quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR) methods and to evaluate protocols for optimal high-throughput data analysis Methods:We investigated two distinct salt stress phases—dehydration (4 h) and ionic stress (osmotic restoration; 24 h)—that were identified by physiological changes of 14-day-old seedlings of two cotton genotypes, one salt tolerant and the other salt sensitive, during a 72-h NaCl exposure. A comparative transcriptomics approach was used to monitor gene and miRNA differential expression at two time points (4 and 24 h) in leaves of the two cotton genotypes under salinity conditions. Results:During a 24-h salt exposure, 819 transcription factor unigenes were differentially expressed in both genotypes, with 129 unigenes specifically expressed in the salt-tolerant genotype. Under salt stress, 108 conserved miRNAs from known families were differentially expressed at two time points in the salt-tolerant genotype. Conclusions:Our comprehensive transcriptome analysis has provided new insights into salt-stress response of upland cotton. The results should contribute to the development of genetically modified cotton with salt tolerance.
Project description:To explore the mechanisms of cotton response to Na2SO4 stress, we used next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to study transcriptional changes of cotton under the treatment of 300 mmol• L-1 Na2SO4 solution at 12 h and the control with water at 12 h. A total of 15,524, 20,409 and 12,146 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in cotton roots, stems and leaves between treatment and control, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated the enrichment of DEGs involved in various stimuli or stress responses. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis showed that DEGs associated with plant hormone signal transduction, plant-pathogen interaction, and Starch and sucrose metabolites were regulated in response to the Na2SO4 stress. We further analyzed genes enriched in ROS (reactive oxygen species) scavenging system including osmotic stress and ion toxicity were significantly up-regulated. In addition, analysis for sulfur metabolism, results in to identification of two rate limiting enzymes APR and OASTL during synthesis of GSH from SO42-. The analysis of the expression profiles of diverse tissues under Na2SO4 stress and identification of relevant key hub genes in a network crosstalk will provide a strong foundation and valuable clues for genetic improvements of cotton in response to various salt stresses.