TRANSCRIPT AND METABOLIC ADJUSTMENTS TRIGGERED BY DROUGHT IN ILEX PARAGUARIENSIS LEAVES

ACEVEDO R. M.; AVICO E.; GONZALEZ S.A.; RODRIGUEZ SALVADOR, A.; RIVAROLA M.; PANIEGO N.; NUNES NESSI A.; RUIZ O.A.; SANSBERRO P

PLANTA

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2019

0032-0935

Main conclusion ABA is involved in the dehydration response of I. paraguariensis. Acclimation comprises root growth stimulation, stomatal closure, osmotic adjustment, photoprotection, regulation of nonstructural carbohydrates and amino acids metabolism.Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) is cultivated in the subtropical region of South America where the occurrence of drought episodes limit yield. To explore the mechanisms that allow it to overcome the force-strain, we enquired (i) how gene expression varies under water scarcity concerning the non-stressed conditions, and (ii) how the modulation of gene expression is linked to physiological status and metabolite composition. A total of 4,920 differentially expressed transcripts were obtained by RNA-Seq after water deprivation. Drought induces the expression of several transcripts involved in ABA signaling process triggering the ABA-mediated responses to dehydration. Stomatal closure and leaf osmotic adjustment were promoted to minimize water loss, and these responses were accompanied by a high transcriptional remodeling of stress-perception, signaling and transcription regulation, photoprotective and antioxidant system, and other strain responsive genes. Concomitantly, significant changes in metabolite content were detected. Glutamine, phenylalanine, isomaltose, fucose and malate levels were shown to be positively correlated with dehydration. Principal component analysis showed differences in the metabolic profiles of control and stressed leaves. These results provide a comprehensive overview of how I. paraguariensis responds to dehydration at transcriptome and metabolome levels which may help to understand the molecular mechanisms associated with drought response in other perennial subtropical species.