Integration of transcriptomic and metabolic data reveals hub transcription factors involved in drought stress response in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Drought is one of the most important environmental stresses that effects crop productivity in many agricultural regions. Sunflower is tolerant to drought conditions but the mechanisms involved in this tolerance remain unclear at the molecular level. The aim of this study was to characterize and integrate transcriptional and metabolic pathways related to drought stress in sunflower plants, by using a system biology approach. Our results showed a delay in plant senescence with an increase in the expression level of photosynthesis related genes as well as higher levels of sugars, osmoprotectant amino acids and ionic nutrients under drought conditions. In addition, we identified transcription factors that were upregulated during drought conditions and that may act as hubs in the transcriptional network. Many of these transcription factors belong to families implicated in the drought response in model species. The integration of transcriptomic and metabolomic data in this study, together with physiological measurements, has improved our understanding of the biological responses during droughts and contributes to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved under this environmental condition. These findings will provide useful biotechnological tools to improve stress tolerance while maintaining crop yield under restricted water availability.

Instituto de Biotecnología

Fil: Moschen, Sebastian Nicolas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Di Rienzo, Julio A.Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina

Fil: Higgins, Janet. Norwich Research Park. Earlham Institute; Reino Unido

Fil: Tohge, Takayuki. Max-Planck-Institut fur Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie; Alemania

Fil: Watanabe, Mutsumi Max-Planck-Institut fur Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie; Alemania

Fil: Gonzalez, Sergio Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Rivarola, Maximo Lisandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: García-García, Francisco. Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe. Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics; España. Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe . National Institute of Bioinformatics. Functional Genomics Node; España

Fil: Dopazo, Joaquín. Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe. Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics; España. Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe . National Institute of Bioinformatics. Functional Genomics Node; España

Fil: Hopp, Horacio Esteban. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

Fil: Hoefgen, Rainer Max-Planck-Institut fur Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie; Alemania

Fil: Fernie, Alisdair R. Max-Planck-Institut fur Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie; Alemania

Fil: Paniego, Norma Beatriz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Fernandez, Paula Del Carmen. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentina

Fil: Heinz, Ruth Amelia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina