Maize transcriptome profiling reveals low temperatures affect photosynthesis during the emergence stage

IntroductionEarlier sowing is a promising strategy of ensuring sufficiently high maize yields in the face of negative environmental factors caused by climate change. However, it leads to the low temperature exposure of maize plants during emergence, warranting a better understanding of their respons...

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Main Authors: Manja Božić, Dragana Ignjatović Micić, Violeta Anđelković, Nenad Delić, Ana Nikolić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1527447/full
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author Manja Božić
Dragana Ignjatović Micić
Violeta Anđelković
Nenad Delić
Ana Nikolić
author_facet Manja Božić
Dragana Ignjatović Micić
Violeta Anđelković
Nenad Delić
Ana Nikolić
author_sort Manja Božić
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionEarlier sowing is a promising strategy of ensuring sufficiently high maize yields in the face of negative environmental factors caused by climate change. However, it leads to the low temperature exposure of maize plants during emergence, warranting a better understanding of their response and acclimation to suboptimal temperatures.Materials and MethodsTo achieve this goal, whole transcriptome sequencing was performed on two maize inbred lines – tolerant/susceptible to low temperatures, at the 5-day-old seedling stage. Sampling was performed after 6h and 24h of treatment (10/8°C). The data was filtered, mapped, and the identified mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs were quantified. Expression patterns of the RNAs, as well as the interactions between them, were analyzed to reveal the ones important for low-temperature response.Results and DiscussionGenes involved in different steps of photosynthesis were downregulated in both genotypes: psa, psb, lhc, and cab genes important for photosystem I and II functioning, as well as rca, prk, rbcx1 genes necessary for the Calvin cycle. The difference in low-temperature tolerance between genotypes appeared to arise from their ability to mitigate damage caused by photoinhibition: ctpa2, grx, elip, UF3GT genes showed higher expression in the tolerant genotype. Certain identified lncRNAs also targeted these genes, creating an interaction network induced by the treatment (XLOC_016169-rca; XLOC_002167-XLOC_006091-elip2). These findings shed light on the potential mechanisms of low-temperature acclimation during emergence and lay the groundwork for subsequent analyses across diverse maize genotypes and developmental stages. As such, it offers valuable guidance for future research directions in the molecular breeding of low-temperature tolerant maize.
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spelling doaj-art-405d171b13164acd9ae87db5b246c6d92025-01-28T06:41:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-01-011610.3389/fpls.2025.15274471527447Maize transcriptome profiling reveals low temperatures affect photosynthesis during the emergence stageManja Božić0Dragana Ignjatović Micić1Violeta Anđelković2Nenad Delić3Ana Nikolić4Laboratory for Molecular Genetics and Physiology, Research Department, Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje, Belgrade, SerbiaLaboratory for Molecular Genetics and Physiology, Research Department, Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje, Belgrade, SerbiaGene Bank, Research Department, Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje, Belgrade, SerbiaMaize Breeding Group, Breeding Department, Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje, Belgrade, SerbiaLaboratory for Molecular Genetics and Physiology, Research Department, Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje, Belgrade, SerbiaIntroductionEarlier sowing is a promising strategy of ensuring sufficiently high maize yields in the face of negative environmental factors caused by climate change. However, it leads to the low temperature exposure of maize plants during emergence, warranting a better understanding of their response and acclimation to suboptimal temperatures.Materials and MethodsTo achieve this goal, whole transcriptome sequencing was performed on two maize inbred lines – tolerant/susceptible to low temperatures, at the 5-day-old seedling stage. Sampling was performed after 6h and 24h of treatment (10/8°C). The data was filtered, mapped, and the identified mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs were quantified. Expression patterns of the RNAs, as well as the interactions between them, were analyzed to reveal the ones important for low-temperature response.Results and DiscussionGenes involved in different steps of photosynthesis were downregulated in both genotypes: psa, psb, lhc, and cab genes important for photosystem I and II functioning, as well as rca, prk, rbcx1 genes necessary for the Calvin cycle. The difference in low-temperature tolerance between genotypes appeared to arise from their ability to mitigate damage caused by photoinhibition: ctpa2, grx, elip, UF3GT genes showed higher expression in the tolerant genotype. Certain identified lncRNAs also targeted these genes, creating an interaction network induced by the treatment (XLOC_016169-rca; XLOC_002167-XLOC_006091-elip2). These findings shed light on the potential mechanisms of low-temperature acclimation during emergence and lay the groundwork for subsequent analyses across diverse maize genotypes and developmental stages. As such, it offers valuable guidance for future research directions in the molecular breeding of low-temperature tolerant maize.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1527447/fullmaizewhole transcriptome profilinglow temperature stressclimate changephotosynthesis
spellingShingle Manja Božić
Dragana Ignjatović Micić
Violeta Anđelković
Nenad Delić
Ana Nikolić
Maize transcriptome profiling reveals low temperatures affect photosynthesis during the emergence stage
Frontiers in Plant Science
maize
whole transcriptome profiling
low temperature stress
climate change
photosynthesis
title Maize transcriptome profiling reveals low temperatures affect photosynthesis during the emergence stage
title_full Maize transcriptome profiling reveals low temperatures affect photosynthesis during the emergence stage
title_fullStr Maize transcriptome profiling reveals low temperatures affect photosynthesis during the emergence stage
title_full_unstemmed Maize transcriptome profiling reveals low temperatures affect photosynthesis during the emergence stage
title_short Maize transcriptome profiling reveals low temperatures affect photosynthesis during the emergence stage
title_sort maize transcriptome profiling reveals low temperatures affect photosynthesis during the emergence stage
topic maize
whole transcriptome profiling
low temperature stress
climate change
photosynthesis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1527447/full
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