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ABA-induced alternative splicing drives transcriptomic reprogramming for drought tolerance in barley.
Anna Collin1, Hubert Matkowski1, Ewa Sybilska1
1Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Jagiellońska 28, 40 - 032, Katowice, Poland.
BMC Plant Biology
|April 8, 2025
Summary
Abscisic acid (ABA) priming enhances barley drought tolerance by improving stomatal closure, photosynthesis, and gene expression. This molecular priming accelerates stress responses and aids recovery, boosting yield under water scarcity.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key phytohormone regulating plant responses to drought stress.
- ABA-induced stress priming can improve drought tolerance, but its molecular mechanisms are not fully understood.
- Understanding ABA's effects on barley at different growth stages is crucial for improving crop resilience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how ABA pre-treatment at the booting stage affects physiological and molecular responses to drought at the heading stage in barley.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying ABA-induced drought stress priming.
Main Methods:
- Barley plants were pre-treated with ABA at the booting stage and then subjected to drought stress at the heading stage.
- Physiological parameters (stomatal conductance, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis) were measured.
- Gene expression analysis (including ABA-responsive genes and transcriptomics) and alternative splicing analysis were performed.
Main Results:
- ABA pre-treatment led to earlier stomatal closure, higher chlorophyll levels, and preserved photosynthetic activity under drought.
- Transcriptomic analysis revealed accelerated activation of stress-responsive pathways, including chromatin modifications, RNA metabolism, and ABA signaling.
- Alternative splicing and isoform switching were significantly enhanced, contributing to drought resilience and faster post-stress recovery.
Conclusions:
- ABA priming enhances barley drought resilience through improved physiological responses and accelerated molecular stress pathways, including alternative splicing and chromatin modifications.
- Optimized ABA application timing and concentration can sustain critical yield components like grain weight under drought.
- This study provides a basis for breeding and agronomic strategies to enhance drought tolerance and yield stability in barley.
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