Sexually differential gene expressions in poplar roots in response to nitrogen deficiency

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is a key nutrient impacting plant growth and physiological processes. However, the supply of N is often not sufficient to meet the requirements of trees in many terrestrial ecosystems. Because of differences in production costs, male and female plants have evolved different stress resistance strategies for N limitation. However, little is known about differential gene expression according to sex in poplars responding to N limitation. To explore sex-related constitutive defenses, Populus cathayana Rehder transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolic analyses were performed on the roots of male and female Populus cathayana. We detected 16,816 proteins and 37,286 transcripts, with 2797 overlapping proteins and mRNAs in the roots. In combination with the identification of 90 metabolites, we found that N deficiency greatly altered gene expression related to N metabolism as well as carbohydrate metabolism, secondary metabolism and stress-related processes in both sexes. Nitrogen-deficient P. cathayana females exhibited greater root biomass and less inhibition of citric acid production and glycolysis as well as higher secondary metabolic activity and abscisic acid contents than N-deficient P. cathayana males. Interestingly, males presented a better osmotic adjustment ability and higher expression of resistance genes, suggesting that P. cathayana males exhibit a better stress tolerance ability and can invest fewer resources in defense compared with females. Therefore, our study provides new molecular evidence that P. cathayana males and females adopt different resistance strategies to cope with N deficiency in their roots.

Integrated mRNA and miRNA expression profiling analyses of Pinus massoniana roots and shoots in response to phosphate deficiency

“…The differentially expressed targets, with respect to their cognate miRNAs, could be clustered into NBS-LRR, ubiquitination, pectate lyase, and so on. NBS-LRR genes were documented to enhance tolerance to abiotic stress (Li et al, 2017) and dramatically change under nitrogen deficiency in poplar (Song et al, 2019). In this study, the predicted novel miR0145-NBS-LRR interaction was identified, and its functions in response to Pi deficiency require further analysis.…”

Morphological, physiological, and transcriptional responses to low nitrogen stress in Populus deltoides Marsh. clones with contrasting nitrogen use efficiency

“…Recent studies on NUE mainly focused on the root system, and different zones of poplar roots showed distinct capacities for N absorption and assimilation because of differentially expressed microRNA (miRNA)-target pairs [ 15 ]. The results of transcriptome and metabolome analysis of poplar roots in response to N deficiency showed that males had a better osmotic adjustment ability and higher NUE, indicating a better stress tolerance ability compared with that of females [ 16 , 17 ]. We believe that there is a close relationship between roots and leaves in the form of a ‘source-sink’.…”

Genome and Transcriptome Sequencing of Populus × sibirica Identified Sex-Associated Allele-Specific Expression of the CLC Gene

“…The analysis of transcriptomic data for male and female reproductive organs of P. balsamifera revealed gene expression trajectories during flower development and male-biased expression of two MADS-box genes, APETALA3 and PISTILLATA ( Cronk et al, 2020 ). Besides, in several studies of Populus species, sex-associated differences in gene expression were observed under particular, predominantly unfavorable, conditions ( Melnikova et al, 2017 ; Han et al, 2018 ; Song et al, 2019 ).…”