Selection of Reference Genes and HSP17.9A Expression Profiling in Heat-Stressed Grapevine Varieties
Ana Carvalho1,2,3,4, Christina Crisóstomo1,3,4, Fernanda Leal2,3,4
1Plant Cytogenomics Laboratory, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Laboratorial Complex, Room A1.09, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
Genes
|October 26, 2024
Summary
Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional grapevines respond to heat stress by altering gene expression. UBC and VAG genes are stable reference genes for qPCR analysis in these varieties.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Molecular Biology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Touriga Franca (TF) and Touriga Nacional (TN) are key Portuguese grapevine varieties.
- These varieties are cultivated in the Douro Superior subregion, facing summer environmental stress.
- Understanding plant responses to heat stress is crucial for viticulture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify stable reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) in TF and TN.
- To profile the expression of stress-responsive genes under controlled heat stress conditions.
- To compare the heat stress response between TF and TN grapevine varieties.
Main Methods:
- In vitro TF and TN plants were subjected to simulated summer conditions: heat acclimation (32°C-3h) and severe heat stress (42°C-1h).
- Recovery periods at 32°C-3h and 24°C-24h were included.
- Candidate reference genes (UBC, VAG) and a stress-responsive gene (HSP17.9A) were analyzed using qPCR.
Main Results:
- The UBC and VAG gene pair demonstrated the highest expression stability.
- HSP17.9A gene expression was upregulated in both varieties, except in TF controls.
- Touriga Nacional exhibited a higher relative expression of HSP17.9A after severe heat stress.
Conclusions:
- The UBC, VAG, and HSP17.9A genes are suitable for qPCR in TF and TN grapevine studies.
- Touriga Nacional displayed a faster response to heat shock compared to Touriga Franca.
- Findings contribute to understanding grapevine resilience to heat stress.
