Gene expression differences for drought stress response in cool-season turfgrasses

Authors: Bushman, Shaun; Robbins, Matthew; Warnke, Scott; Martin, Ruth; Harris-Shultz, Karen; AMUNDSEN, KEENAN - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: International Turfgrass Society Research Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/4/2020
Publication Date: 11/9/2020
Citation: Bushman, B.S., Robbins, M.D., Warnke, S.E., Martin, R.C., Harris-Shultz, K.R., Amundsen, K.E. 2020. Gene expression differences for drought stress response in cool-season turfgrasses. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.25.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/its2.25

Interpretive Summary: Many efforts in the USA have focused on turfgrass tolerances to drought imposition as means to reduce their need for irrigation. As part of this effort, our research groups have subjected multiple species and varieties to drought and collected expression profiles of genes that were differentially expressed upon stress vs. control conditions. We have generated lists of genes differentially expressed in Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and creeping bentgrass upon drought stress. We compared each shared differentially expressed transcript set across all three experiments and characterized shared transcripts and gene families that respond to drought in each species and across all three species. By re-examining these datasets, we found key genetic mechanisms by which these species respond to drought stress. Specific genes, such as ABA responsive LEA homologs, show their crucial nature upon drought stress in all three species. Other gene families, such as E3 ubiquitin ligases, exhibited different gene family members in each species and highlight the species-specific responses to drought.

Technical Abstract: Many efforts in the USA have focused on turfgrass tolerances to drought imposition as means to reduce their need for irrigation. As part of this effort, our research groups have subjected multiple species and varieties to drought and collected expression profiles of genes that were differentially expressed upon stress vs. control conditions. We have generated lists of genes differentially expressed in Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and creeping bentgrass upon drought stress. We compared each shared differentially expressed transcript set across all three experiments and characterized shared transcripts and gene families that respond to drought in each species and across all three species. By re-examining these datasets, we found key genetic mechanisms by which these species respond to drought stress. Specific genes, such as ABA responsive LEA homologs, show their crucial nature upon drought stress in all three species. Other gene families, such as E3 ubiquitin ligases, exhibited different gene family members in each species and highlight the species-specific responses to drought.