Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
2
Department of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.- BioGenTAC lnc., Technology Incubator of Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran-North Branch (ABRII), Rasht, Iran
3
Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
Abstract
This study aimed to identify key genes and miRNAs involved in the response of Arabidopsis to drought and heat stresses. Microarray data of Arabidopsis under drought for five days and heat for three days were analyzed using the GEO2R tool. Gene ontology analysis of differentially expressed genes was performed using the DAVID database, and the gene network was constructed using Cytoscape software. Key genes were identified based on the MCC algorithm, and miRNAs regulating the key genes were identified using the psRNATarget tool. In total 1,164 genes were upregulated and 534 genes were downregulated. The upregulated genes were involved in processes such as responses to heat, drought, and salinity. The downregulated genes were involved in pathways related to photosynthesis, auxin response, and fungal defense. The key genes, including HSP17.6C, HSP17.6, HSP23.6, HSFA2, HSP70-8, CLPB1, HSP17.6B, HSP17.7, HSP15.7, and HSP90, were involved in chaperone activities, regulation of gene expression, and maintenance of protein homeostasis. These key genes were predicted to be regulated by miRNAs such as ath-miR1886.1, ath-miR414, ath-miR5012, and ath-miR835-5p. The results showed that regulatory network related to abscisic acid (ABA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and heat shock proteins (HSPs) may play a pivotal role in increasing the tolerance of Arabidopsis to drought and heat stresses. The identified pathways, genes, and miRNAs indicate the importance of regulatory interactions at the cellular and molecular levels in environmental stress adaptation and can be considered as a basis for designing genetic engineering strategies to improve the drought and heat tolerance of crop plants.
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