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Transcriptomic Profiling Reveals Shared Signalling Networks Between Flower Development and Herbivory-Induced
Lanlan Ke1,2, Yangzi Wang2, Martin Schäfer2
1Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|October 11, 2021
Summary
Flowering plants use shared molecular pathways for defense against herbivores and for attracting pollinators. This study reveals significant overlap in gene expression between leaf defense and flower development in tomatoes, suggesting coevolution.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Plant survival depends on defense against herbivores and reproduction via pollinators.
- Shared molecular mechanisms could lead to diffuse evolution of these traits.
- Understanding these shared pathways is crucial for plant evolutionary studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare transcriptomic changes in herbivory-induced leaf defenses and flower development in tomato.
- To identify shared molecular machinery and regulatory networks between these two processes.
- To investigate the coevolutionary implications of shared pathways.
Main Methods:
- RNA-sequencing of tomato leaves and flowers.
- Analysis of transcriptomic changes during herbivory response and flower development.
- Genetic manipulation of key defense regulators.
- Targeted metabolomic analysis in related tomato species.
Main Results:
- Herbivory response and flower development share alterations in jasmonic acid signaling, primary metabolism suppression, and secondary metabolism reprogramming.
- 411 genes were significantly involved in both processes.
- Genetic manipulation confirmed shared gene regulation in leaves and flowers.
- Jasmonic acid and α-tomatine correlate in flower buds and induced leaves.
Conclusions:
- Tomato leaf defense and flower development share a common molecular machinery.
- These processes likely coevolved due to shared genetic underpinnings.
- The findings provide insights into the evolutionary integration of plant defense and reproduction.
