Deciphering the transcriptomic regulation of heat stress responses in Nothofagus pumilio

Global warming is predicted to exert negative impacts on plant growth due to the damaging effect of high temperatures on plant physiology. Revealing the genetic architecture underlying the heat stress response is therefore crucial for the development of conservation strategies, and for breeding heat-resistant plant genotypes. Here we investigated the transcriptional changes induced by heat in Nothofagus pumilio, an emblematic tree species of the sub-Antarctic forests of South America. Through the performance of RNA-seq of leaves of plants exposed to 20 degrees C (control) or 34 degrees C (heat shock), we generated the first transcriptomic resource for the species. We also studied the changes in protein-coding transcripts expression in response to heat. We found 5,214 contigs differentially expressed between temperatures. The heat treatment resulted in a down-regulation of genes related to photosynthesis and carbon metabolism, whereas secondary metabolism, protein re-folding and response to stress were up-regulated. Moreover, several transcription factor families like WRKY or ERF were promoted by heat, alongside spliceosome machinery and hormone signaling pathways. Through a comparative analysis of gene regulation in response to heat in Arabidopsis thaliana, Populus tomentosa and N. pumilio we provide evidence of the existence of shared molecular features of heat stress responses across angiosperms, and identify genes of potential biotechnological application.

Automated summary

The study revealed that heat stress leads to the down-regulation of genes related to photosynthesis and carbon metabolism in Nothofagus pumilio, while genes associated with secondary metabolism, protein re-folding, and stress response are up-regulated. Additionally, transcription factor families such as WRKY or ERF are promoted by heat, indicating shared molecular features of heat stress responses across angiosperms.