Integrating transcriptome and metabolome analyses of the response to cold stress in pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)

PLoS One. 2021 May 6;16(5):e0249108. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249108. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Cucurbita maxima belong to the genus Cucurbita and are of nutritional and economic importance. Physiological activity, transcriptome, and metabolome analyses of leaf samples from the C. maxima inbreding line IL7 treated at 5 °C and 25 °C were performed. Cold stress resulted in a significant increase in the malondialdehyde content, relative electrical conductivity, soluble protein, sugar content, and catalase activity. A total of 5,553 differentially expressed genes were identified, of which 2,871 were up-regulated and 2,682 down-regulated. In addition, the transcription of differentially expressed genes in the plant hormone signal transduction pathway and transcription factor families of AP2/ERF, bHLH, WRKY, MYB, and HSF was activated. Moreover, 114 differentially expressed metabolites were identified by gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry, particularly through the analysis of carboxylic acids and derivatives, and organooxygen compounds. The demonstration of a series of potential metabolites and corresponding genes highlighted a comprehensive regulatory mechanism. These findings will provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms associated with the response to cold stress in C. maxima.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cold-Shock Response / genetics*
  • Cucurbita / genetics*
  • Cucurbita / metabolism
  • Cucurbita / physiology*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Metabolomics*
  • Up-Regulation

Grants and funding

The authors are grateful to other laboratory members for technical advices and helpful discussions. This research was supported by Qingdao Science and Technology Special Project for Bene, China (18-6-1-116-nsh). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.