Whole-Transcriptome Analysis on the Leaves of Rosa chinensis Jacq. under Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Abstract

The leaves of plants can be recommended as a cheap and sustainable environmental protection tool to mitigate PAHs with high toxicity in the ambient environment because they can serve as a reactor to remove ambient PAHs. Although previous studies have demonstrated that PAHs exhibit toxicological features, our knowledge about how ambient PAHs influence the leaves of plants is limited regarding the leaves of plants reducing ambient PAHs as a reactor. In this study, 1-year-old Rosa chinensis Jacq. with good growth potential was selected as a model plant. The leaves of Rosa chinensis Jacq. were exposed to 16 types of PAHs in the environmental concentration exposure group (0.1 μg L−1) and high-concentration exposure group (5 μg L−1) for seven days. In comparison, the leaves of Rosa chinensis Jacq. were exposed to de-ionized water and were chosen as the control group. During the exposure periods, the physiological parameters of leaves including, chlorophyll value, water content, temperature and nitrogen, were monitored using a chlorophyll meter. After 7 days of exposure, the leaves in the control and exposure groups were collected and used for whole-transcriptome analysis. Our results demonstrate that significant differentially expressed genes were observed in the leaves of Rosa chinensis Jacq. exposed to individual PAHs at 5 μg L−1 compared to the control group. These differentially expressed genes were involved in seven main pathways using bioinformatic analyses. In contrast, the levels of PAHs at environmentally relevant concentrations had negligible impacts on the physiological parameters and the gene transcription levels of the leaves of Rosa chinensis Jacq. Our results may provide direct evidence to remove ambient PAHs using terrestrial trees without considering the risk of PAHs at environmentally relevant concentrations on the leaves of terrestrial plants.

Levels of Dry Deposition Submicron Black Carbon on Plant Leaves and the Associated Oxidative Potential

“…Some prior studies have shown that leaves can uptake water-soluble brown carbon and different amino acids via stomata within 30 min serving as nutrients to maintain growth [32][33][34][35]. Our prior study also examined the interaction process between the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at high concentrations and tree leaves using whole-transcriptome analysis [36]. Based on the analysis of the significant differentially expressed genes, seven main pathways play roles in absorbing high concentrations of PAHs on the surface of plant leaves [36].…”

“…Our prior study also examined the interaction process between the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at high concentrations and tree leaves using whole-transcriptome analysis [36]. Based on the analysis of the significant differentially expressed genes, seven main pathways play roles in absorbing high concentrations of PAHs on the surface of plant leaves [36]. Consequently, the tree leaves could retain the BC on their wax layers [23].…”

Genome-wide identification of starch phosphorylase gene family in Rosa chinensis and expression in response to abiotic stress

“…Roses ( Rosa chinensis ) is an important ornamental plant, with economic, cultural, and symbolic significance 15 . They are used not only as fresh cut flowers but also widely used as outdoor landscaping flowers 16 . During the application of outdoor greening, adverse environments such as high temperature and drought are often encountered, which affect its application scope and ornamental quality 17 .…”