scholarly journals Examining the molecular mechanisms contributing to the success of an invasive species across different ecosystems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah K. Lamar ◽  
Ian Beddows ◽  
Charlyn G. Partridge

ABSTRACTInvasive species provide an opportune system to investigate how populations respond to new environments. Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata) was introduced to North America in the 1800’s and has since spread throughout the United States and western Canada. We used an RNA-seq approach to explore how molecular processes contribute to the success of invasive populations with similar genetic backgrounds across distinct habitats. Transcription profiles were constructed from seedlings collected from a sand dune ecosystem in Petoskey, MI (PSMI) and a sagebrush ecosystem in Chelan, WA (CHWA). We assessed differential gene expression and identified SNPs within differentially expressed genes. We identified 1,146 differentially expressed transcripts across all sampled tissues between the two populations. GO processes enriched in PSMI were associated with nutrient starvation, while enriched processes in CHWA were associated with abiotic stress. Only 7.4% of the differentially expressed transcripts contained SNPs differing in allele frequencies of at least 0.5 between populations. Common garden studies found the two populations differed in germination rate and seedling emergence success. Our results suggest the success of G. paniculata in these two environments is likely due to plasticity in specific molecular processes responding to different environmental conditions, although some genetic divergence may be contributing to these differences.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dengqun Liao ◽  
Ruipeng An ◽  
Jianhe Wei ◽  
Dongmei Wang ◽  
Xianen Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To adapt seasonal climate changes under natural environments, Polygonatum sibiricum seeds have a long period of epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy, which limits their wide-utilization in the large-scale plant progeny propagation. It has been proven that the controlled consecutive warm and cold temperature treatments can effectively break and shorten this seed dormancy status to promote its successful underdeveloped embryo growth, radicle emergence and shoot emergence. To uncover the molecular basis of seed dormancy release and seedling establishment, a SMRT full-length sequencing analysis and an Illumina sequencing-based comparison of P. sibiricum seed transcriptomes were combined to investigate transcriptional changes during warm and cold stratifications. Results A total of 87,251 unigenes, including 46,255 complete sequences, were obtained and 77,148 unigenes (88.42%) were annotated. Gene expression analyses at four stratification stages identified a total of 27,059 DEGs in six pairwise comparisons and revealed that more differentially expressed genes were altered at the Corm stage than at the other stages, especially Str_S and Eme. The expression of 475 hormone metabolism genes and 510 hormone signaling genes was modulated during P. sibiricum seed dormancy release and seedling emergence. One thousand eighteen transcription factors and five hundred nineteen transcription regulators were detected differentially expressed during stratification and germination especially at Corm and Str_S stages. Of 1246 seed dormancy/germination known DEGs, 378, 790, and 199 DEGs were associated with P. sibiricum MD release (Corm vs Seed), epicotyl dormancy release (Str_S vs Corm), and the seedling establishment after the MPD release (Eme vs Str_S). Conclusions A comparison with dormancy- and germination-related genes in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds revealed that genes related to multiple plant hormones, chromatin modifiers and remodelers, DNA methylation, mRNA degradation, endosperm weakening, and cell wall structures coordinately mediate P. sibiricum seed germination, epicotyl dormancy release, and seedling establishment. These results provided the first insights into molecular regulation of P. sibiricum seed epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy release and seedling emergence. They may form the foundation of future studies regarding gene interaction and the specific roles of individual tissues (endosperm, newly-formed corm) in P. sibiricum bulk seed dormancy.


Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1863
Author(s):  
Dou Ye ◽  
Fang Du ◽  
Yajie Zou ◽  
Qingxiu Hu

Primordium formation is an important stage preceding the growth and development of the Pleurotus eryngii fruiting body. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying primordium formation remain unclear. In the present study, comparative transcriptomics was performed between mature mycelia and primordium to analyze the transcriptional properties during primordium formation in P. eryngii. A total of 19,655 differentially expressed genes (10,718 upregulated genes and 8937 downregulated genes) were identified. These differentially expressed genes were involved in cell wall degradation, carbohydrate hydrolysis, light perception, and cAMP signal transduction. These results aid further understanding of the transcriptional changes and the molecular processes underlying primordium formation and differentiation, which may lay the foundation for improving the cultivation and quality control of P. eryngii.


2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-252

In this review, we outline critical molecular processes that have been implicated by discovery of genetic mutations in autism. These mechanisms need to be mapped onto the neurodevelopment step(s) gone awry that may be associated with cause in autism. Molecular mechanisms include: (i) regulation of gene expression; (ii) pre-mRNA splicing; (iii) protein localization, translation, and turnover; (iv) synaptic transmission; (v) cell signaling; (vi) the functions of cytoskeletal and scaffolding proteins; and (vii) the function of neuronal cell adhesion molecules. While the molecular mechanisms appear broad, they may converge on only one of a few steps during neurodevelopment that perturbs the structure, function, and/or plasticity of neuronal circuitry. While there are many genetic mutations involved, novel treatments may need to target only one of few developmental mechanisms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 546-553
Author(s):  
Hongyuan Cui ◽  
Mingwei Zhu ◽  
Junhua Zhang ◽  
Wenqin Li ◽  
Lihui Zou ◽  
...  

Objective: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to identify genes that were differentially expressed between normal thyroid tissue and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Materials & Methods: Six candidate genes were selected and further confirmed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry in samples from 24 fresh thyroid tumors and adjacent normal tissues. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis was used to investigate signal transduction pathways of the differentially expressed genes. Results: In total, 1690 genes were differentially expressed between samples from patients with PTC and the adjacent normal tissue. Among these, SFRP4, ZNF90, and DCN were the top three upregulated genes, whereas KIRREL3, TRIM36, and GABBR2 were downregulated with the smallest p values. Several pathways were associated with the differentially expressed genes and involved in cellular proliferation, cell migration, and endocrine system tumor progression, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of PTC. Upregulation of SFRP4, ZNF90, and DCN at the mRNA level was further validated with RT-PCR, and DCN expression was further confirmed with immunostaining of PTC samples. Conclusion: These results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of PTC. Identification of differentially expressed genes should not only improve the tumor signature for thyroid tumors as a diagnostic biomarker but also reveal potential targets for thyroid tumor treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 591-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aravind K. Konda ◽  
Parasappa R. Sabale ◽  
Khela R. Soren ◽  
Shanmugavadivel P. Subramaniam ◽  
Pallavi Singh ◽  
...  

Background: Chickpea is a nutritional rich premier pulse crop but its production encounters setbacks due to various stresses and understanding of molecular mechanisms can be ascribed foremost importance. Objective: The investigation was carried out to identify the differentially expressed WRKY TFs in chickpea in response to herbicide stress and decipher their interacting partners. Methods: For this purpose, transcriptome wide identification of WRKY TFs in chickpea was done. Behavior of the differentially expressed TFs was compared between other stress conditions. Orthology based cofunctional gene networks were derived from Arabidopsis. Gene ontology and functional enrichment analysis was performed using Blast2GO and STRING software. Gene Coexpression Network (GCN) was constructed in chickpea using publicly available transcriptome data. Expression pattern of the identified gene network was studied in chickpea-Fusarium interactions. Results: A unique WRKY TF (Ca_08086) was found to be significantly (q value = 0.02) upregulated not only under herbicide stress but also in other stresses. Co-functional network of 14 genes, namely Ca_08086, Ca_19657, Ca_01317, Ca_20172, Ca_12226, Ca_15326, Ca_04218, Ca_07256, Ca_14620, Ca_12474, Ca_11595, Ca_15291, Ca_11762 and Ca_03543 were identified. GCN revealed 95 hub genes based on the significant probability scores. Functional annotation indicated role in callose deposition and response to chitin. Interestingly, contrasting expression pattern of the 14 network genes was observed in wilt resistant and susceptible chickpea genotypes, infected with Fusarium. Conclusion: This is the first report of identification of a multi-stress responsive WRKY TF and its associated GCN in chickpea.


Planta ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 253 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ledong Jia ◽  
Junsheng Wang ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Mouzheng Duan ◽  
Cailin Qiao ◽  
...  

Abstract Main conclusion The molecular mechanism underlying white petal color in Brassica napus was revealed by transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Abstract Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops worldwide, but the mechanisms underlying flower color in this crop are known less. Here, we performed metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of the yellow-flowered rapeseed cultivar ‘Zhongshuang 11’ (ZS11) and the white-flowered inbred line ‘White Petal’ (WP). The total carotenoid contents were 1.778-fold and 1.969-fold higher in ZS11 vs. WP petals at stages S2 and S4, respectively. Our findings suggest that white petal color in WP flowers is primarily due to decreased lutein and zeaxanthin contents. Transcriptome analysis revealed 10,116 differentially expressed genes with a fourfold or greater change in expression (P-value less than 0.001) in WP vs. ZS11 petals, including 1,209 genes that were differentially expressed at four different stages and 20 genes in the carotenoid metabolism pathway. BnNCED4b, encoding a protein involved in carotenoid degradation, was expressed at abnormally high levels in WP petals, suggesting it might play a key role in white petal formation. The results of qRT-PCR were consistent with the transcriptome data. The results of this study provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms of the carotenoid metabolic pathway in rapeseed petals, and the candidate genes identified in this study provide a resource for the creation of new B. napus germplasms with different petal colors.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhilin Yuan ◽  
Irina S. Druzhinina ◽  
John G. Gibbons ◽  
Zhenhui Zhong ◽  
Yves Van de Peer ◽  
...  

AbstractUnderstanding how organisms adapt to extreme living conditions is central to evolutionary biology. Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) constitute an important component of the root mycobiome and they are often able to alleviate host abiotic stresses. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial association between the DSE Laburnicola rhizohalophila and its host, the native halophyte Suaeda salsa, using population genomics. Based on genome-wide Fst (pairwise fixation index) and Vst analyses, which compared the variance in allele frequencies of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variants (CNVs), respectively, we found a high level of genetic differentiation between two populations. CNV patterns revealed population-specific expansions and contractions. Interestingly, we identified a ~20 kbp genomic island of high divergence with a strong sign of positive selection. This region contains a melanin-biosynthetic polyketide synthase gene cluster linked to six additional genes likely involved in biosynthesis, membrane trafficking, regulation, and localization of melanin. Differences in growth yield and melanin biosynthesis between the two populations grown under 2% NaCl stress suggested that this genomic island contributes to the observed differences in melanin accumulation. Our findings provide a better understanding of the genetic and evolutionary mechanisms underlying the adaptation to saline conditions of the L. rhizohalophila–S. salsa symbiosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2481
Author(s):  
Jodi Callwood ◽  
Kalpalatha Melmaiee ◽  
Krishnanand P. Kulkarni ◽  
Amaranatha R. Vennapusa ◽  
Diarra Aicha ◽  
...  

Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) are highly vulnerable to changing climatic conditions, especially increasing temperatures. To gain insight into mechanisms underpinning the response to heat stress, two blueberry species were subjected to heat stress for 6 and 9 h at 45 °C, and leaf samples were used to study the morpho-physiological and transcriptomic changes. As compared with Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium darrowii exhibited thermal stress adaptation features such as small leaf size, parallel leaf orientation, waxy leaf coating, increased stomatal surface area, and stomatal closure. RNAseq analysis yielded ~135 million reads and identified 8305 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) during heat stress against the control samples. In V. corymbosum, 2861 and 4565 genes were differentially expressed at 6 and 9 h of heat stress, whereas in V. darrowii, 2516 and 3072 DEGs were differentially expressed at 6 and 9 h, respectively. Among the pathways, the protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was the highly enriched pathway in both the species: however, certain metabolic, fatty acid, photosynthesis-related, peroxisomal, and circadian rhythm pathways were enriched differently among the species. KEGG enrichment analysis of the DEGs revealed important biosynthesis and metabolic pathways crucial in response to heat stress. The GO terms enriched in both the species under heat stress were similar, but more DEGs were enriched for GO terms in V. darrowii than the V. corymbosum. Together, these results elucidate the differential response of morpho-physiological and molecular mechanisms used by both the blueberry species under heat stress, and help in understanding the complex mechanisms involved in heat stress tolerance.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2830
Author(s):  
Aiai Zhang ◽  
Jing Zheng ◽  
Xuemiao Chen ◽  
Xueyin Shi ◽  
Huaisong Wang ◽  
...  

The peel color is an important external quality of melon fruit. To explore the mechanisms of melon peel color formation, we performed an integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolome with three different fruit peel samples (grey-green ‘W’, dark-green ‘B’, and yellow ‘H’). A total of 40 differentially expressed flavonoids were identified. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that flavonoid biosynthesis was associated with the fruit peel coloration of melon. Twelve differentially expressed genes regulated flavonoids synthesis. Among them, nine (two 4CL, F3H, three F3′H, IFS, FNS, and FLS) up-regulated genes were involved in the accumulation of flavones, flavanones, flavonols, and isoflavones, and three (2 ANS and UFGT) down-regulated genes were involved in the accumulation of anthocyanins. This study laid a foundation to understand the molecular mechanisms of melon peel coloration by exploring valuable genes and metabolites.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4437
Author(s):  
Han Ryul Choi ◽  
Min Jae Jeong ◽  
Min Woo Baek ◽  
Jong Hang Choi ◽  
Hee Cheol Lee ◽  
...  

Cold storage of peach fruit at low temperatures may induce chilling injury (CI). Pre-storage 1-MCP and high CO2 treatments were reported among the methods to ameliorate CI and reduce softening of peach fruit. However, molecular data indicating the changes associated with pre-storage 1-MCP and high CO2 treatments during cold storage of peach fruit are insufficient. In this study, a comparative analysis of the difference in gene expression and physico-chemical properties of fruit at commercial harvest vs. stored fruit for 12 days at 0 °C (cold-stored (CS), pre-storage 1-MCP+CS, and pre-storage high CO2+CS) were used to evaluate the variation among treatments. Several genes were differentially expressed in 1-MCP+CS- and CO2+CS-treated fruits as compared to CS. Moreover, the physico-chemical and sensory data indicated that 1-MCP+CS and CO2+CS suppressed CI and delayed ripening than the CS, which could lead to a longer storage period. We also identified the list of genes that were expressed commonly and exclusively in the fruit treated by 1-MCP+CS and CO2+CS and compared them to the fruit quality parameters. An attempt was also made to identify and categorize genes related to softening, physiological changes, and other ripening-related changes. Furthermore, the transcript levels of 12 selected representative genes from the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the transcriptome analysis were confirmed via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). These results add information on the molecular mechanisms of the pre-storage treatments during cold storage of peach fruit. Understanding the genetic response of susceptible cultivars such as ‘Madoka’ to CI-reducing pre-storage treatments would help breeders release CI-resistant cultivars and could help postharvest technologists to develop more CI-reducing technologies.


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