Transcriptomic and physiological analyses reveal different grape varieties response to high temperature stress

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• High temperatures negatively affect grape yield and quality.
• Grapevine thermotolerance mechanisms are not fully understood, particularly transcriptional changes.
• Understanding heat stress responses is crucial for agricultural resilience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate transcriptional changes in five grape cultivars under high-temperature stress.
• To compare heat resistance and gene expression patterns across different cultivars.
• To identify key genes and pathways involved in grape thermotolerance.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of heat resistance indices and transcriptome data.
• Exposure of five grape cultivars to natural (35°C) and extreme (40°C) temperatures.
• Differential gene expression analysis and pathway enrichment analysis.

Main Results:

• High temperatures induced varying damage and significant gene expression changes across cultivars.
• Key transcription factor families (HSPs, HSFs, WRKYs, MYBs, NACs) were differentially regulated.
• Pathways related to hormone signaling (auxin, ABA), carbohydrate metabolism, and protein processing were significantly altered.

Conclusions:

• Significant variability exists in the activation of key pathways influencing grape response to heat stress.
• Identified genes and pathways provide insights into molecular mechanisms of thermotolerance.
• Findings can inform breeding strategies for heat-resilient grape varieties.