Drought-Stress-Induced Changes in Chloroplast Gene Expression in Two Contrasting Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Genotypes
This study investigated the effect of drought stress on the expression of chloroplast genes in two different genotypes (A1 and A4) of strawberry tree plants with contrasting performances. Two-year-old plants were subjected to drought (20 days at 18% field capacity), and the photosynthetic activity,...
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/24/4133 |
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| author | João Martins Mariana Neves Jorge Canhoto |
| author_facet | João Martins Mariana Neves Jorge Canhoto |
| author_sort | João Martins |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigated the effect of drought stress on the expression of chloroplast genes in two different genotypes (A1 and A4) of strawberry tree plants with contrasting performances. Two-year-old plants were subjected to drought (20 days at 18% field capacity), and the photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll content, and expression levels of 16 chloroplast genes involved in photosynthesis and metabolism-related enzymes were analyzed. Genotype-specific responses were prominent, with A1 displaying wilting and leaf curling, contrasting with the mild symptoms observed in A4. Quantification of damage using the net CO<sub>2</sub> assimilation rates and chlorophyll content unveiled a significant reduction in A1, while A4 maintained stability. Gene expression analysis revealed substantial downregulation of A1 (15 out of 16 genes) and upregulation of A4 (14 out of 16 genes). Notably, <i>psbC</i> was downregulated in A1, while it was prominently upregulated in A4. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted genotype-specific clusters, emphasizing distinct responses under stress, whereas a correlation analysis elucidated intricate relationships between gene expression, net CO<sub>2</sub> assimilation, and chlorophyll content. Particularly, a positive correlation with <i>psaB</i>, whereas a negative correlation with <i>psbC</i> was found in genotype A1. Regression analysis identified potential predictors for net CO<sub>2</sub> assimilation, in particular <i>psaB</i>. These findings contribute valuable insights for future strategies targeting crop enhancement and stress resilience, highlighting the central role of chloroplasts in orchestrating plant responses to environmental stressors, and may contribute to the development of drought-tolerant plant varieties, which are essential for sustaining agriculture in regions affected by water scarcity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T18:35:09Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T18:35:09Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
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| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-c3bbb8edabd945a7ac3f09a8c6f1a4d02023-12-29T15:47:28ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472023-12-011224413310.3390/plants12244133Drought-Stress-Induced Changes in Chloroplast Gene Expression in Two Contrasting Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) GenotypesJoão Martins0Mariana Neves1Jorge Canhoto2Centre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, PortugalCentre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, PortugalCentre for Functional Ecology, Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, PortugalThis study investigated the effect of drought stress on the expression of chloroplast genes in two different genotypes (A1 and A4) of strawberry tree plants with contrasting performances. Two-year-old plants were subjected to drought (20 days at 18% field capacity), and the photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll content, and expression levels of 16 chloroplast genes involved in photosynthesis and metabolism-related enzymes were analyzed. Genotype-specific responses were prominent, with A1 displaying wilting and leaf curling, contrasting with the mild symptoms observed in A4. Quantification of damage using the net CO<sub>2</sub> assimilation rates and chlorophyll content unveiled a significant reduction in A1, while A4 maintained stability. Gene expression analysis revealed substantial downregulation of A1 (15 out of 16 genes) and upregulation of A4 (14 out of 16 genes). Notably, <i>psbC</i> was downregulated in A1, while it was prominently upregulated in A4. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) highlighted genotype-specific clusters, emphasizing distinct responses under stress, whereas a correlation analysis elucidated intricate relationships between gene expression, net CO<sub>2</sub> assimilation, and chlorophyll content. Particularly, a positive correlation with <i>psaB</i>, whereas a negative correlation with <i>psbC</i> was found in genotype A1. Regression analysis identified potential predictors for net CO<sub>2</sub> assimilation, in particular <i>psaB</i>. These findings contribute valuable insights for future strategies targeting crop enhancement and stress resilience, highlighting the central role of chloroplasts in orchestrating plant responses to environmental stressors, and may contribute to the development of drought-tolerant plant varieties, which are essential for sustaining agriculture in regions affected by water scarcity.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/24/4133chlorophyllnet CO<sub>2</sub> assimilationphotosynthetic activityPSI/PSIIstrawberry tree |
| spellingShingle | João Martins Mariana Neves Jorge Canhoto Drought-Stress-Induced Changes in Chloroplast Gene Expression in Two Contrasting Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Genotypes Plants chlorophyll net CO<sub>2</sub> assimilation photosynthetic activity PSI/PSII strawberry tree |
| title | Drought-Stress-Induced Changes in Chloroplast Gene Expression in Two Contrasting Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Genotypes |
| title_full | Drought-Stress-Induced Changes in Chloroplast Gene Expression in Two Contrasting Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Genotypes |
| title_fullStr | Drought-Stress-Induced Changes in Chloroplast Gene Expression in Two Contrasting Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Genotypes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Drought-Stress-Induced Changes in Chloroplast Gene Expression in Two Contrasting Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Genotypes |
| title_short | Drought-Stress-Induced Changes in Chloroplast Gene Expression in Two Contrasting Strawberry Tree (<i>Arbutus unedo</i> L.) Genotypes |
| title_sort | drought stress induced changes in chloroplast gene expression in two contrasting strawberry tree i arbutus unedo i l genotypes |
| topic | chlorophyll net CO<sub>2</sub> assimilation photosynthetic activity PSI/PSII strawberry tree |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/24/4133 |
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