Comparative transcriptomic analysis provides insights into the molecular basis underlying pre-harvest sprouting in...

Area of Science:

• Plant Biology
• Genetics
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) significantly reduces rice yield, particularly in rainy harvest conditions.
• The molecular mechanisms governing PHS transcriptional regulation are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare transcriptional differences between PHS-sensitive (JXZ) and PHS-resistant (MXXZ) rice varieties.
• To identify key molecular pathways involved in PHS.

Main Methods:

• Comparative transcriptome analysis of JXZ and MXXZ under high humidity.
• Physiological measurements of starch, soluble sugar, and amylase activity.
• KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs).

Main Results:

• PHS significantly alters starch and soluble sugar content, with greater changes in the sensitive JXZ variety.
• Transcriptome analysis identified thousands of DEGs, with more upregulated genes in JXZ and more downregulated genes in MXXZ.
• Key pathways affected include plant hormone signal transduction, carbon metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis.

Conclusions:

• PHS in rice is associated with altered phytohormone regulation, enhanced carbon metabolism, and increased phenylpropanoid biosynthesis.
• These findings offer a basis for understanding PHS regulation and breeding PHS-resistant rice.