Transcription Factors and microRNA Genes Regulatory Network Construction Under Drought Stress in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Abstract

Background: Drought is one of the most common environmental stresses affecting crops yield and quality. Sesame is an important oilseed crop that most likely faces drought during its growth due to growing in semi-arid and arid areas. Plants responses to drought controlled by regulatory mechanisms. Despite this importance, there is little information about Sesame regulatory mechanisms against drought stress. Results: 458 drought-related genes were identified using comprehensive RNA-seq data analysis of two susceptible and tolerant sesame genotypes under drought stress. These drought-responsive genes were included secondary metabolites biosynthesis-related Like F3H, sucrose biosynthesis-related like SUS2, transporters like SUC2, and protectives like LEA and HSP families. Interactions between identified genes and regulators including TFs and miRNAs were predicted using bioinformatics tools and related regulatory gene networks were constructed. Key regulators and relations of Sesame under drought stress were detected by network analysis. TFs belonged to DREB (DREB2D), MYB (MYB63), ZFP (TFIIIA), bZIP (bZIP16), bHLH (PIF1), WRKY (WRKY30) and NAC (NAC29) families were found among key regulators. mRNAs like miR399, miR169, miR156, miR5685, miR529, miR395, miR396, and miR172 also found as key drought regulators. Furthermore, a total of 117 TFs and 133 miRNAs that might be involved in drought stress were identified with this approach. Conclusions: Most of the identified TFs and almost all of the miRNAs are introduced for the first time as potential regulators of drought response in Sesame. These regulators accompany with identified drought-related genes could be valuable candidates for future studies and breeding programs on Sesame under drought stress. Keywords: Sesamum indicum, Drought stress, Regulatory networks, miRNA, Transcription Factors.

DNA Methylation Changes and Its Associated Genes in Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Yu-711 Response to Drought Stress Using MethylRAD Sequencing

“…Additionally, pectate lyase 18 (LOC21400038) expression level was significantly lower (Figure 12G). Pectate lyase is involved in cell wall modification, and formation of root structures and downregulation of pectase layse response to drought stress has been recently reported, which agrees with our work [64]. Finally, though the level of the uncharacterized gene (LOC21387341) expression in the drought stress was less than in control, its expression level somehow increased appreciably.…”

Comprehensive analysis of the gene expression profile of wheat at the crossroads of heat, drought and combined stress

“…The CPRF2 protein which is a member of bZIP TF family is related to the regulation system controlling chalcone syn-thase through hormone control or light-induction. The overexpression of such gene under drought stress have been reported in Sesame [55], which could be due it is known relation in flower development [56]. The ORR6 gene is related to cytokinin signaling, and recently it has been reported that it could be downregulated in some salt-tolerant maize inbred line [57].…”