Characterization of the cork oak transcriptome dynamics during acorn development

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is a keystone species in Mediterranean ecosystems.
• Acorn development is crucial for cork oak regeneration, but its molecular basis is poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the cork oak acorn transcriptome across five developmental stages.
• To identify key molecular processes and regulatory elements governing acorn development.
• To uncover transcripts involved in gene expression regulation and water response.

Main Methods:

• RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) to generate expressed sequence tags (ESTs).
• De novo assembly of the Q. suber transcriptome.
• Differential gene expression analysis and clustering of transcripts.
• Enrichment analysis of biological pathways.

Main Results:

• A total of 80,357 ESTs were assembled, with 7.6% identified as acorn-specific.
• 2,285 differentially expressed transcripts were identified, with 22% encoding transcription factors or regulators.
• Carbohydrate metabolism was prevalent in mid-to-late stages; genes related to water response were prominent in early and late stages.

Conclusions:

• This is the first transcriptomic study of acorn development in oaks.
• Identified transcripts offer insights into gene regulation and adaptation processes during cork oak acorn development.
• Findings may be transferable to other ecologically important oak species.