Angiosperm Plant Desiccation Tolerance: Hints from Transcriptomics and Genome Sequencing. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giarola, Valentino; Hou, Quancan; Bartels, Dorothea
• Is Part Of: Trends in plant science. Volume 22:Number 8(2017)
• Page Start: 705
• Page End: 717
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: anhydrobiosis -- coexpression networks -- desiccation tolerance -- LEA genes -- resurrection plants -- transcriptomics; Botany -- Periodicals; Botanique -- Périodiques; Botany; Periodicals; 580.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2017.05.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-1385

Abstract

Abstract : Desiccation tolerance (DT) in angiosperms is present in the small group of resurrection plants and in seeds. DT requires the presence of protective proteins, specific carbohydrates, restructuring of membrane lipids, and regulatory mechanisms directing a dedicated gene expression program. Many components are common to resurrection plants and seeds; however, some are specific for resurrection plants. Understanding how each component contributes to DT is challenging. Recent transcriptome analyses and genome sequencing indicate that increased expression is essential of genes encoding protective components, recently evolved, species-specific genes and non-protein-coding RNAs. Modification and reshuffling of existing cis -regulatory promoter elements seems to play a role in the rewiring of regulatory networks required for increased expression of DT-related genes in resurrection species. Trends: Transcriptome and genome studies in resurrection plants allow the establishment of gene coexpression networks and identify conserved DT mechanisms. The data indicate that universal DT mechanisms are recruited in vegetative tissues and seeds, but additional species-specific mechanisms have also evolved due to ecological constraints. The rewiring of gene regulatory networks was essential for the acquisition of desiccation tolerance in resurrection plants because information for most desiccation-related components is present in the genomes of both desiccation-tolerant and desiccation-sensitive plants. Universal DT mechanisms may be explored for improving drought stress tolerance in agricultural plants.