Transcriptomic and evolutionary analysis of the mechanisms by which P. argentatum, a rubber producing perennial, responds to drought

• DOI: 10.21203/rs.2.11612/v3
• Publication Date: 2019-11-14T12:35:49Z
• Authors: Andrew D. L. Nelson; Grisel Ponciano; Colleen McMahan; Daniel C. Ilut; N. Ace Pugh; Diaa Eldin Elshikha; Douglas J. Hunsaker; Duke Pauli
• Keywords: Drought Tolerance

Abstract Background Guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray) is a drought tolerant, rubber producing perennial shrub native to northern Mexico and the US Southwest. Hevea brasiliensis, currently world’s only source of natural rubber, grown as monoculture, leaving it vulnerable both biotic abiotic stressors. Isolation from guayule occurs by mechanical harvesting entire plant. It has been reported that environmental conditions leading up harvest have profound impact on yield. The link between biosynthesis drought, common condition in guayule’s habitat, unclear. Results We took transcriptomic comparative genomic approach determine how impacts guayule. compared transcriptional profiles stem tissue, location biosynthesis, collected field-grown plants subjected water-deficit (drought) well-watered (control) conditions. Plants imposed displayed an increase production transcripts associated with defense responses water homeostasis, decrease biosynthesis. An evolutionary analysis stress-response suggests more anciently duplicated shared among Asteraceae, rather than recently derived duplicates, are contributing response observed In addition, we identified several deeply conserved long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) containing microRNA binding motifs. One lncRNA particular, origins at base may be regulating vegetative reproductive transition water-stressed acting miRNA sponge for miR166. Conclusions These data represent first analyses responds like agricultural settings. inverse relationship stress-responsive those precursor pathways suggesting physiological trade-off maintaining homeostasis plant productivity. also identify number regulators responses, including transcription factors lncRNAs, strong candidates future projects aimed modulating under water-limiting guayules’ environment.