Transcriptome Profiling Reveals the Gene Network Responding to Low Nitrogen Stress in Wheat

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Molecular Biology
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Nitrogen (N) is crucial for wheat yield and quality.
• Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is vital due to fertilizer pollution.
• Understanding low nitrogen (LN) stress response mechanisms is key for enhancing NUE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the molecular mechanisms of wheat response to LN stress.
• To identify key genes and pathways involved in NUE regulation.
• To uncover tissue-specific responses to LN stress in wheat.

Main Methods:

• Transcriptome analysis of wheat under LN stress.
• Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.
• Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and transcription factor (TF) analysis.

Main Results:

• LN stress induced differential gene expression in roots and shoots, with opposite regulation patterns.
• Nitrate reductase activity, nitrate assimilation, and N metabolism pathways were significantly enriched.
• Identified MYB-related TFs and five hub regulatory TFs involved in LN stress response.

Conclusions:

• Wheat exhibits distinct root and shoot responses to LN stress at the transcriptomic level.
• Specific TFs and N metabolism pathways play crucial roles in wheat's adaptation to LN stress.
• The identified candidate genes provide a foundation for improving NUE in wheat.