Widely Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis of the Response and Adaptation Mechanisms of <i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> to Low-Temperature Stress
Caucasian clover (<i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> M.Bieb.) is a perennial legume known for its exceptional cold tolerance, commonly used in agriculture and ecosystems in cold climates. Given the impact of climate change, enhancing the cold adaptation of Caucasian clover is crucial for sustaini...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Kefan Cao Sijing Wang Huimin Zhang Yiming Ma Qian Wu Mingjiu Wang |
| author_facet | Kefan Cao Sijing Wang Huimin Zhang Yiming Ma Qian Wu Mingjiu Wang |
| author_sort | Kefan Cao |
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| description | Caucasian clover (<i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> M.Bieb.) is a perennial legume known for its exceptional cold tolerance, commonly used in agriculture and ecosystems in cold climates. Given the impact of climate change, enhancing the cold adaptation of Caucasian clover is crucial for sustaining agricultural productivity. This study employs metabolomics, transcriptomics, and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to investigate the molecular mechanisms of Caucasian clover’s response to low-temperature stress. Metabolomic analysis showed that low-temperature stress triggered the accumulation of fatty acids, amino acids, and antioxidants, which are critical for maintaining membrane stability and antioxidant capacity, thus protecting the plant from oxidative damage. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant upregulation of genes involved in cold adaptation, particularly those related to antioxidant defense, membrane lipid repair, and signal transduction, including genes in the ABA signaling pathway and antioxidant enzymes, thereby improving cold tolerance. WGCNA identified gene modules closely linked to cold adaptation, especially those involved in antioxidant defense, fatty acid metabolism, signal transduction, and membrane repair. These modules function synergistically, with coordinated gene expression enhancing cold resistance. This study also investigated the isoflavonoid biosynthesis pathway under low-temperature stress, highlighting its role in enhancing antioxidant capacity and cold tolerance. Low-temperature stress induced upregulation of key enzyme genes, such as Isoflavone Synthase (IFS) and Isoflavone-7-O-Glucosyltransferase (IF7GT), promoting antioxidant metabolite accumulation and further enhancing the plant’s cold adaptation. Overall, this study offers novel molecular insights into the cold tolerance mechanisms of Caucasian clover and provides valuable theoretical support for breeding cold-resistant crops in cold climates. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7dc8eafee0ea4eb6bd3d9ff06c8b22dc |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-7dc8eafee0ea4eb6bd3d9ff06c8b22dc2025-08-20T03:11:03ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-01-0115230810.3390/agronomy15020308Widely Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis of the Response and Adaptation Mechanisms of <i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> to Low-Temperature StressKefan Cao0Sijing Wang1Huimin Zhang2Yiming Ma3Qian Wu4Mingjiu Wang5Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of Ministry of Education, College of Grassland Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaYinshanbeilu Grassland Eco-Hydrology National Observation and Research Station, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, ChinaKey Laboratory of Grassland Resources of Ministry of Education, College of Grassland Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaKey Laboratory of Grassland Resources of Ministry of Education, College of Grassland Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaKey Laboratory of Grassland Resources of Ministry of Education, College of Grassland Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaKey Laboratory of Grassland Resources of Ministry of Education, College of Grassland Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaCaucasian clover (<i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> M.Bieb.) is a perennial legume known for its exceptional cold tolerance, commonly used in agriculture and ecosystems in cold climates. Given the impact of climate change, enhancing the cold adaptation of Caucasian clover is crucial for sustaining agricultural productivity. This study employs metabolomics, transcriptomics, and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to investigate the molecular mechanisms of Caucasian clover’s response to low-temperature stress. Metabolomic analysis showed that low-temperature stress triggered the accumulation of fatty acids, amino acids, and antioxidants, which are critical for maintaining membrane stability and antioxidant capacity, thus protecting the plant from oxidative damage. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant upregulation of genes involved in cold adaptation, particularly those related to antioxidant defense, membrane lipid repair, and signal transduction, including genes in the ABA signaling pathway and antioxidant enzymes, thereby improving cold tolerance. WGCNA identified gene modules closely linked to cold adaptation, especially those involved in antioxidant defense, fatty acid metabolism, signal transduction, and membrane repair. These modules function synergistically, with coordinated gene expression enhancing cold resistance. This study also investigated the isoflavonoid biosynthesis pathway under low-temperature stress, highlighting its role in enhancing antioxidant capacity and cold tolerance. Low-temperature stress induced upregulation of key enzyme genes, such as Isoflavone Synthase (IFS) and Isoflavone-7-O-Glucosyltransferase (IF7GT), promoting antioxidant metabolite accumulation and further enhancing the plant’s cold adaptation. Overall, this study offers novel molecular insights into the cold tolerance mechanisms of Caucasian clover and provides valuable theoretical support for breeding cold-resistant crops in cold climates.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/2/308<i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> M.Bieb.low-temperature stresswidely targeted metabolomicstranscriptomicsWeighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) |
| spellingShingle | Kefan Cao Sijing Wang Huimin Zhang Yiming Ma Qian Wu Mingjiu Wang Widely Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis of the Response and Adaptation Mechanisms of <i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> to Low-Temperature Stress Agronomy <i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> M.Bieb. low-temperature stress widely targeted metabolomics transcriptomics Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) |
| title | Widely Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis of the Response and Adaptation Mechanisms of <i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> to Low-Temperature Stress |
| title_full | Widely Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis of the Response and Adaptation Mechanisms of <i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> to Low-Temperature Stress |
| title_fullStr | Widely Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis of the Response and Adaptation Mechanisms of <i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> to Low-Temperature Stress |
| title_full_unstemmed | Widely Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis of the Response and Adaptation Mechanisms of <i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> to Low-Temperature Stress |
| title_short | Widely Targeted Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis of the Response and Adaptation Mechanisms of <i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> to Low-Temperature Stress |
| title_sort | widely targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis of the response and adaptation mechanisms of i trifolium ambiguum i to low temperature stress |
| topic | <i>Trifolium ambiguum</i> M.Bieb. low-temperature stress widely targeted metabolomics transcriptomics Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/2/308 |
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