Transcriptome profile analysis of cell proliferation molecular processes during multicellular trichome formation induced by tomato Wo v gene in tobacco

Trichomes, developing from the epidermis of nearly all terrestrial plants, provide good protection from environmental stress. Regulation of trichomes in Rosids has been well characterized. However, little is known about the cell proliferation molecular processes during multicellular trichome formation in Asterids. Ectopic expression of Wov in tobacco and potato induces much more trichome formation than wild type. To gain new insights into the underlying mechanisms during the processes of these trichomes formation, RNA-seq was employed for the young primary leaf tissues in Wov transgenic and wild-type tobacco. We identified differentially expressed genes which are related to various biological processes and molecular functions. Here, we provide details of experimental methods, RNA-seq data (available at Gene Expression Omnibus database under GSE72310). Our data provide new insight into the molecular processes controlling multicellular formation in tobacco

Genetic diversity and population structure in Meconopsis quintuplinervia (Papaveraceae)

Meconopsis quintuplinervia is regarded as a valuable medicinal plant in Tibetan medicinal system. This species is distributed in Qinghai, Xizang, Sichuan, Shanxi ,Gansu and Hubei provinces of the People's Republic of China. Genetic variation of 16 M. quintuplinervia populations sampled from Qinghai and Gansu of China was examined by random amplified polymorphic DNA markers (RAPDs). In total, 225 scored DNA bands were amplified from the 17 primers used. Of the 225 loci, 192(85.33%) were polymorphic, and total genetic diversity (Ht) was 0.2954 and Shannon's information index (I) was0.4371, suggesting a relatively high rate of genetic variation at the species level. The average within-population diversity also appeared to be high, with PPB, He and I values of 70.50%, 0.2408 and 0.3347, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed 78.3% of variation within populations and only 21.7% between populations. Nei's coefficient of differentiation (G ST ) was found to be high (0.2320), also confirming the relatively high level of genetic differentiation within populations. By UPGMA cluster analysis, based on Nei's standard genetic distance, the populations were divided into three groups including the populations distributed in same location together in every group. The results exhibit a strong genetic differentiation which is obviously due to genetic drift in the isolated populations. The genetic structure of M. quintuplinervia has probably been shaped by its breeding modes, biogeographic history and human impact (both grazing and collection for medicinal purposes). This research might be an efficient way to conserve genetic resources of the medicinal plant, in addition to its effective uses

Transcriptional profiles of drought-responsive genes in modulating transcription signal transduction, and biochemical pathways in tomato

To unravel the molecular mechanisms of drought responses in tomato, gene expression profiles of two drought-tolerant lines identified from a population of Solanum pennellii introgression lines, and the recurrent parent S. lycopersicum cv. M82, a drought-sensitive cultivar, were investigated under drought stress using tomato microarrays. Around 400 genes identified were responsive to drought stress only in the drought-tolerant lines. These changes in genes expression are most likely caused by the two inserted chromosome segments of S. pennellii, which possibly contain drought-tolerance quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Among these genes are a number of transcription factors and signalling proteins which could be global regulators involved in the tomato responses to drought stress. Genes involved in organism growth and development processes were also specifically regulated by drought stress, including those controlling cell wall structure, wax biosynthesis, and plant height. Moreover, key enzymes in the pathways of gluconeogenesis (fructose-bisphosphate aldolase), purine and pyrimidine nucleotide biosynthesis (adenylate kinase), tryptophan degradation (aldehyde oxidase), starch degradation (β-amylase), methionine biosynthesis (cystathionine β-lyase), and the removal of superoxide radicals (catalase) were also specifically affected by drought stress. These results indicated that tomato plants could adapt to water-deficit conditions through decreasing energy dissipation, increasing ATP energy provision, and reducing oxidative damage. The drought-responsive genes identified in this study could provide further information for understanding the mechanisms of drought tolerance in tomato