Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Potential Gene Modules Associated with Cold Tolerance in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

Abstract

Sugarcane is an important crop worldwide, and most sugar is derived directly from sugarcane. Due to its thermophilic nature, the yield of sugarcane is largely influenced by extreme climate conditions, especially cold stress. Therefore, the development of sugarcane with improved cold tolerance is an important goal. However, little is known about the multiple mechanisms underlying cold acclimation at the bud stage in sugarcane. In this study, we emphasized that sensitivity to cold stress was higher for the sugarcane variety ROC22 than for GT42, as determined by physical signs, including bud growth capacity, relative conductivity, malonaldehyde contents, and soluble sugar contents. To understand the factors contributing to the difference in cold tolerance between ROC22 and GT42, comparative transcriptome analyses were performed. We found that genes involved in the regulation of the stability of the membrane system were the relative determinants of difference in cold tolerance. Additionally, genes related to protein kinase activity, starch metabolism, and calcium signal transduction were associated with cold tolerance. Finally, 25 candidate genes, including 23 variety-specific and 2 common genes, and 7 transcription factors were screened out for understanding the possible cold resistance mechanism. The findings of this study provide candidate gene resources for cold resistance and will improve our understanding of the regulation of cold tolerance at the bud stage in sugarcane.

Transcriptomic and Metabolic Analyses Elucidate the Metabolomic Variation in Leaf Development of a Calcium-Rich Vegetable (Primulina eburnea)

“…The contents of soluble sugar and starch are often related to stress responses in plants [38,39]. The accumulation of soluble sugar may be at least partially triggered by the degradation of polysaccharides [40]; thereby, starch metabolism is thought to be closely related to tolerance against stresses [41]. The high content of starch and the low content of soluble sugar represent a high capacity for stress resistance [37,39].…”

Transcriptome profiling of abiotic responses to cold and drought stress of Cinnamomum kanehirae

“…Wang et al (2013) found that CDPKs play an important role under low temperature stress in tea (Camellia sinensis). Potential genes related to cold tolerance in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) have also been investigated, and the genes related to the regulation of membrane system stability were found to be the determinants of cold tolerance differences, while the key genes that encode protein kinase activity, starch metabolism, and calcium signaling were associated with cold tolerance (Huang et al 2021).…”