Molecular insights into the salt stress response of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum): Pathways, differentially expressed genes and transcription factors
Abstract Introduction Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) plays a crucial role as a cereal crop in arid and semi‐arid regions, where it confronts the formidable challenge of salt stress. Materials and Methods To unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms that underpin its salt stress resilience, we s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.12083 |
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| author | Faten Dhawi |
| author_facet | Faten Dhawi |
| author_sort | Faten Dhawi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) plays a crucial role as a cereal crop in arid and semi‐arid regions, where it confronts the formidable challenge of salt stress. Materials and Methods To unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms that underpin its salt stress resilience, we subjected 14‐day‐old seedlings to three distinct groups: Control, 75 mM NaCl and 150 mM NaCl. These pots received daily irrigation with their respective treatment solutions for a duration of 7 days. Following this week‐long treatment, we measured plant chlorophyll content, as well as the fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots. It became evident that the saline treatment, particularly in the 150 mM NaCl group, had a more pronounced impact on both weight and chlorophyll content in comparison to the control group, surpassing the effects observed in the 75 mM NaCl group. Subsequently, we conducted RNA sequence analysis on the leaves of Pearl millet from both the control and 150 mM NaCl‐treated groups. Results The results revealed that 27.6% of Pennisetum glaucum genes exhibited differential expression, with 3246 genes being upregulated and 7408 genes downregulated when compared to the control group. Principal component analysis underscored distinct variations in gene expression patterns between the control and salt‐stressed groups. Pathway analysis sheds light on the upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), highlighting their involvement in crucial pathways such as phytyl‐PP biosynthesis, lysine degradation, glutamate biosynthesis, nitrate assimilation and DLO biosynthesis. Conversely, the downregulated DEGs were associated with pathways like coumarins biosynthesis, pinobanksin biosynthesis, UDP‐ d‐glucuronate biosynthesis and cholesterol biosynthesis, among others. Furthermore, our transcription factor analysis unveiled specific families associated with the salt stress response, including bHLH, ERF, NAC, WRKY, bZIP, MYB and HD‐ZIP. Conclusions These findings represent a significant advancement in our comprehension of Pearl millet's capacity to withstand salt stress and provide potential targets for the development of salt‐resistant crops, contributing to the advancement of sustainable agriculture in regions affected by salinity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:09:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f6114c512685478c983a2ea279c35b25 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2767-035X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:09:47Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment |
| spelling | doaj.art-f6114c512685478c983a2ea279c35b252023-12-12T10:35:56ZengWileyJournal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment2767-035X2023-12-012444445510.1002/sae2.12083Molecular insights into the salt stress response of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum): Pathways, differentially expressed genes and transcription factorsFaten Dhawi0Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences King Faisal University Al‐Ahsa Saudi ArabiaAbstract Introduction Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) plays a crucial role as a cereal crop in arid and semi‐arid regions, where it confronts the formidable challenge of salt stress. Materials and Methods To unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms that underpin its salt stress resilience, we subjected 14‐day‐old seedlings to three distinct groups: Control, 75 mM NaCl and 150 mM NaCl. These pots received daily irrigation with their respective treatment solutions for a duration of 7 days. Following this week‐long treatment, we measured plant chlorophyll content, as well as the fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots. It became evident that the saline treatment, particularly in the 150 mM NaCl group, had a more pronounced impact on both weight and chlorophyll content in comparison to the control group, surpassing the effects observed in the 75 mM NaCl group. Subsequently, we conducted RNA sequence analysis on the leaves of Pearl millet from both the control and 150 mM NaCl‐treated groups. Results The results revealed that 27.6% of Pennisetum glaucum genes exhibited differential expression, with 3246 genes being upregulated and 7408 genes downregulated when compared to the control group. Principal component analysis underscored distinct variations in gene expression patterns between the control and salt‐stressed groups. Pathway analysis sheds light on the upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), highlighting their involvement in crucial pathways such as phytyl‐PP biosynthesis, lysine degradation, glutamate biosynthesis, nitrate assimilation and DLO biosynthesis. Conversely, the downregulated DEGs were associated with pathways like coumarins biosynthesis, pinobanksin biosynthesis, UDP‐ d‐glucuronate biosynthesis and cholesterol biosynthesis, among others. Furthermore, our transcription factor analysis unveiled specific families associated with the salt stress response, including bHLH, ERF, NAC, WRKY, bZIP, MYB and HD‐ZIP. Conclusions These findings represent a significant advancement in our comprehension of Pearl millet's capacity to withstand salt stress and provide potential targets for the development of salt‐resistant crops, contributing to the advancement of sustainable agriculture in regions affected by salinity.https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.12083gene expressionPennisetum glaucum (L. R. Br. ssp. monodii (Maire) Brunken)plant productivityprotein family (PFm)RNA Next Generation Sequencesalt tolerance |
| spellingShingle | Faten Dhawi Molecular insights into the salt stress response of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum): Pathways, differentially expressed genes and transcription factors Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment gene expression Pennisetum glaucum (L. R. Br. ssp. monodii (Maire) Brunken) plant productivity protein family (PFm) RNA Next Generation Sequence salt tolerance |
| title | Molecular insights into the salt stress response of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum): Pathways, differentially expressed genes and transcription factors |
| title_full | Molecular insights into the salt stress response of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum): Pathways, differentially expressed genes and transcription factors |
| title_fullStr | Molecular insights into the salt stress response of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum): Pathways, differentially expressed genes and transcription factors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular insights into the salt stress response of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum): Pathways, differentially expressed genes and transcription factors |
| title_short | Molecular insights into the salt stress response of Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum): Pathways, differentially expressed genes and transcription factors |
| title_sort | molecular insights into the salt stress response of pearl millet pennisetum glaucum pathways differentially expressed genes and transcription factors |
| topic | gene expression Pennisetum glaucum (L. R. Br. ssp. monodii (Maire) Brunken) plant productivity protein family (PFm) RNA Next Generation Sequence salt tolerance |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.12083 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fatendhawi molecularinsightsintothesaltstressresponseofpearlmilletpennisetumglaucumpathwaysdifferentiallyexpressedgenesandtranscriptionfactors |