Alternative Splicing: Peeling Another Layer of Cold Stress Response in Tomato
Tomato, being a tropical species, is sensitive to temperatures below 10°C, thus limiting its growth to warmer regions and greenhouses. Understanding the cold response pathways in tomato will help improve its climate resiliency through breeding and biotechnology. Reportedly, plant genes undergo alternative splicing (AS) in response to various environmental stresses, however, the scope and dynamics of alternative splicing events in response to cold are unknown in tomato. To fill this knowledge gap, a fine-scale time-series cold (4°C) experiment was performed followed by RNA-sequencing of shoot and root tissues in tomato. Computational analysis revealed that various AS events occur within the first 20 minutes of temperature reduction and later on. Many AS genes were common between shoots and roots, however, the majority of the changes were organ-specific. Circadian rhythm and photosynthesis were the most significant among the various impacted biological processes, highlighting their importance in cold stress response. This study will help us gain insights into cold response pathways of tomato and other commercially important, closely related Solanaceae species.
History
Degree Type
- Master of Science
Department
- Horticulture
Campus location
- West Lafayette