Molecular biology and physiology of the resurrection glacial relic haberlea rhodopensis

Abstract

Haberlea rhodopensis is a glacial relic with impressive tolerance to desiccation and freezing stress. It is mainly known as an ornamental plant and its other potential uses were largely neglected. Transcriptome analyses by next generation sequencing and cDNA-AFLP technologies identified transcription factors, stress-related and novel genes that could contribute to drought tolerance. These recent molecular studies have raised possibilities of gene discovery for crop improvement and established H. rhodopensis as one of the models to study desiccation tolerance. Furthermore, the abundant secondary metabolites of H. rhodopensis are rich sources of compounds with medicinal properties. Extracts from Haberlea possess radioprotective, anticlastogenic and antioxidant activities and can stimulate regeneration of human fibroblasts in vitro. All this has rejuvenated the interest in H. rhodopensis and indicated potential applications of this species in biology and medicine.