Transcriptomic and alternative splicing analyses provide insights into the roles of exogenous salicylic acid ameliorating waxy maize seedling growth under heat stress

Abstract

Background Salicylic acid (SA) is a phytohormone which works to regulate the abiotic stress response of plants. However, the molecular mechanism by which SA mediates heat tolerance in waxy maize (Zea mays L. sinsensis Kulesh) remains unknown. Results Two varieties of waxy maize seedlings, heat-tolerant ‘Yunuo7’ (Y7) and heat-sensitive ‘Suyunuo5’ (S5), were pretreated with SA prior to heat stress (HTS). After treatment, physiological and transcriptomic changes were analyzed. Compared with HTS, the exogenous application of SA enhanced the shoot dry weight, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., SOD, POD, CAT and APX), and the concentration of endogenous phytohormones (e.g., SA, ABA, IAA, GA3), while decreased the MDA content. Transcriptome analysis showed that the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified in the control (CK) vs HTS and HTS vs HTS + SA comparisons were more in S5 than in Y7. HTS induced the downregulation of genes involved in photosynthesis and the upregulation of genes encoding heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs). Compared with HTS, SA pretreatment reversed the expression of 5 photosynthesis-related genes, 26 phytohormone-related genes, and all genes encoding HSFs and HSPs in S5. Furthermore, the number of alternative splicing (AS) events increased under HTS treatment for both varieties, while decreased under SA pretreatment of S5. Differentially spliced genes (DSGs) showed little overlap with DEGs, and DEGs and DSGs differed significantly in functional enrichment. Conclusions Physiological and transcriptional together indicated that HTS and SA pretreatment had a greater effect on S5 than Y7. Additionally, it appears that transcriptional regulation and AS work synergistically to enhance thermotolerance in heat-sensitive waxy maize. Our study revealed the regulatory effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of SA on waxy maize seedling under HTS.

Integrated Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis of Two Maize Hybrids (ZD309 and XY335) under Heat Stress at the Flowering Stage

“…Several morphological, physiological, biochemical, molecular and yield-related traits and processes in maize are negatively impacted under heat stress conditions. Under high-temperature stress, the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate of maize are decreased, and the cell membrane and antioxidant system are damaged [4,17,29]. These physiological changes can affect the growth and development of maize, ultimately leading to a decline in yield [30][31][32].…”

MePAL6 regulates lignin accumulation to shape cassava resistance against two-spotted spider mite

“…The activities of lignin biosynthesis pathway enzymes, such as PAL, 4CL, CCR and HCT, and the lignin content were all analyzed using ELISA kits (Shanghai Enzyme-linked Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China) according to the manufacturer's instructions (Guo et al, 2022). Each treatment repeated three times.…”

Foliar Application of Moringa Seed Extract Alone or in Combination with Salicylic Acid Enhanced Growth, Bioactive, and Phytohormone Compositions of Cancer Bush Plants under Heat Stress

“…One of the most prominent roles of SA is in stress tolerance of plants, where it acts as a signaling molecule that induces resistance (Sharma et al 2020). Rady and Mohamed (2015), Zulfiqar et al (2020), andGuo et al (2022) reported that 1 mM, 50 mgÁL À1 and 0.75 mM SA effectively improved growth and yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), gladiolus (Gladiolus grandifloras L.), and maize (Zea mays L.) plants under normal or environmental stress conditions such as salt and heat stress, respectively. Although SA is effective, its excessive application could be associated with water and air pollution (Kaya et al 2023).…”