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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Forage and Range Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #356774
Title: Integration of small RNAs and transcriptome sequencing uncovers a complex regulatory network during vernalization and heading stages of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.)

Author
item FENG, GUANGYAN - Sichuan Agricultural University
item XU, LEI - Sichuan Agricultural University
item WANG, JIANPING - University Of Florida
item NIE, GANG - Sichuan Agricultural University
item Bushman, Shaun
item XIE, WENGANG - Lanzhou Institute Of Veterinary Research
item YAN, HAIDONG - Sichuan Agricultural University
item YANG, ZHONGFU - Virginia Tech
item GUAN, HAO - Sichuan Agricultural University
item HUANG, LINKAI - Sichuan Agricultural University
item ZHANG, XINQUAN - Sichuan Agricultural University

Submitted to: BMC Genomics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/24/2018
Publication Date: 10/3/2018
Citation: Feng, G., Xu, L., Wang, J., Nie, G., Bushman, B.S., Xie, W., Yan, H., Yang, Z., Guan, H., Huang, L., Zhang, X. 2018. Integration of small RNAs and transcriptome sequencing uncovers a complex regulatory network during vernalization and heading stages of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.). BMC Genomics. 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-018-5104-0.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-018-5104-0

Interpretive Summary: Timing of optional flowering depends upon the coordination among seasonal environmental cues. For cool season grasses, such as Dactylis glomerata, vernalization induced by low temperature provides competence to initiate flowering after prolonged cold. We combined analyses of the transcriptome and microRNAs (miRNAs) to generate a comprehensive resource for gene regulation during vernalization and flowering. A total of 3,846 differentially expressed genes and 69 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified across five flowering stages. The miRNA targeted genes were involved in phytohormones, transmembrane transport, and plant morphogenesis in response to vernalization. The expression patterns of differentially expressed genes related to plant hormones, stress responses, energy metabolism, and signal transduction changed significantly in the transition from vegetative to reproductive phases. These analyses have provided a platform for investigating consecutive transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of critical phases in D.glomerata and provided insights into the genetic engineering of flowering-control in forage crops.

Technical Abstract: Timing of optimal flowering depends upon the coordination among seasonal environmental cues. For cool season grasses, such as Dactylis glomerata, vernalization induced by low temperature provides competence to initiate flowering after prolonged cold. We combined analyses of the transcriptome and microRNAs (miRNAs) to generate a comprehensive resource for gene regulation during vernalization and flowering. A total of 3,846 differentially expressed genes and 69 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified across five flowering stages. The MiRNA targeted genes were involved in phytohormones, transmembrane transport, and plant morphogenesis in response to vernalization. The expression patterns of differentially expresed genes related to plant hormones, stress responses, energy metabolism, and signal transduction changed significantly in the transition from vegetative to reproductive phases. These analyes have provided a platform for investigating consecutive transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of critical phases in D. glomerata and provided insights into the genetic engineering of flowering-control in forage crops.