Differential expression analysis of phytohormone-related genes of Korean wheat (Triticum aestivum) in response to preharvest sprouting and abscisic acid (ABA)

Abstract

Preharvest sprouting (PHS) is a key global issue in production and end-use quality of cereals, particularly in regions where the rainfall season overlaps the harvest. To investigate transcriptomic changes in genes affected by PHS-induction and ABA-treatment, RNA-seq analysis was performed in two wheat cultivars that differ in PHS tolerance. A total of 123 unigenes related to hormone metabolism and signaling for abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and cytokinin were identified and 1862 of differentially expressed genes were identified and divided into 8 groups by transcriptomic analysis. DEG analysis showed the majority of genes were categorized in sugar related processes, which interact with ABA signaling in PHS tolerant cultivar under PHS-induction. Thus, genes related to ABA are key regulators of dormancy and germination. Our results give insight into global changes in expression of plant hormone related genes in response to PHS.