玉露香梨花器官低温胁迫生理响应和转录组分析

刘晓宇1,臧爱楠1,2,苑倩倩1,2,付宝春1,3*,白牡丹1,张晓伟1,郝国伟1,王燕平1,杨 盛1

1山西农业大学果树研究所/果树种质创制与利用山西省重点实验室,太原 030031;2山西农业大学林学院,山西太谷 030801;3山西运城农业职业技术学院,山西运城 044000)

摘 要:【目的】分析玉露香梨花器官在持续低温胁迫下的生理与转录组变化,探究响应低温胁迫的分子机制。【方法】以盛花期花器官为材料,于0 ℃下分别处理不同时长,测定生理指标;对常温及低温处理组进行转录组测序,筛选差异基因并进行功能富集、加权基因共表达网络分析(WGCNA)和实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)验证。【结果】随低温胁迫延长,丙二醛(MDA)含量和相对电导率呈波动上升趋势,抗氧化酶活性、可溶性糖和蛋白含量均呈先上升后下降趋势。差异表达基因(DEGs)在植物激素信号转导、MAPK信号通路、淀粉与蔗糖代谢、脂代谢等通路中显著富集。进一步挖掘到多个低温响应调控因子,包括WRKY53PP2C51PP2C06,以及与抗氧化酶活性显著相关的调控因子CAF1SQE1。qRT-PCR结果证实所选基因表达量变化趋势与转录组一致。【结论】玉露香梨花器官通过协同激活抗氧化防御系统、渗透调节及植物激素信号转导等多条通路应对低温胁迫。WRKY转录因子、激素信号转导基因(如PP2C家族成员)及抗氧化酶相关模块基因参与低温胁迫响应的分子调控。

关键词:玉露香梨;低温胁迫;生理指标;转录组;加权基因共表达网络

梨(Pyrus spp.)作为中国重要的温带落叶果树,其产业经济价值显著。在北方产区,梨的盛花期通常集中于4月中旬,并维持约7 d。在全球变暖背景下,春季提前升温导致花期提前,从而提高了花期与霜冻期的重叠概率[1]。观测数据显示,2018年梨树花期较2017年提前10~15 d,物候变化使花器官更易遭遇倒春寒侵袭[2-3]。当近地层温度骤降时,正处于花器官分化及幼果发育阶段的植株易遭受霜冻胁迫,表现为柱头褐变、子房冻伤乃至整朵花脱落,最终导致坐果率骤降甚至绝收[4-5],严重制约梨产业可持续发展。

低温是一种主要的非生物胁迫,会导致活性氧(ROS)的产生,ROS进而会损害植物结构、生长和生产力等[6]。ROS的增加可能损害蛋白质和DNA,抑制酶活性,并导致植物细胞死亡[7]。ROS生成和植物内部清除能力之间的平衡在很大程度上决定了细胞受损程度。植物通过多种生理变化来应对低温等不利条件,包括可溶性蛋白(SP)、可溶性糖(SS)含量和抗氧化酶活性升高,以及MDA含量的变化,其升高表明细胞正在遭受氧化应激、膜结构受损;而降低则代表膜脂质过氧化受到抑制[8]。转录组测序(RNA-seq)技术作为解析植物低温适应机制的重要手段,通过差异表达基因(DEGs)筛选、共表达网络构建及功能富集分析,不仅可深度解析耐寒分子机制,还能加速抗逆种质筛选进程,并为跨物种抗性研究提供理论参照[9-10]

在植物抗寒性研究中,冷调节基因COR(coldregulated genes)是最重要且研究最深入的一类基因家族,包括胚胎发育晚期丰富蛋白、低温诱导基因、冷诱导基因、脱水响应基因、早期脱水诱导基因以及脱水素基因等[11-12]CBF 是研究最多的低温信号转导基因,其在胁迫下被诱导激活,进而调控许多赋予植物耐冻性的下游基因[13-14]。下游基因通过合成渗透保护蛋白、调控碳水化合物代谢及糖分运输等,抵御因霜冻和干旱导致的水分流失所产生的负面影响[15]。目前,关于低温持续时间对梨花器官冻害的生理响应和转录组分析研究仍存在不足。本研究通过测定持续低温胁迫下玉露香梨花器官的生理指标,并结合转录组测序,挖掘低温响应关键差异基因及其代谢通路;运用WGCNA解析基因互作模式,筛选响应低温胁迫的关键调控因子,旨在为梨花期抵御低温胁迫研究提供基因资源。

1 材料和方法

1.1 试验材料的采集与处理

于深度休眠期在山西省晋中市山西农业大学果树研究所梨种质资源圃,选择10棵生长势均衡的玉露香梨,随机从树体东、南、西、北4个方向,采集50~60根生长良好、较粗且花芽数量多的一年生枝条,保留枝条中健康花芽,采集完立即带回实验室。

把试验枝条插入湿沙中,置于室外继续休眠,放置1~2周。试验枝条依次用自来水、去离子水冲洗干净,剔除不健康花芽且粗细差异大的枝条,剩余枝条混合作为样品,在室温下水培生长至盛花期,随后进行低温处理。

对照组(CK)不进行低温处理,处理组放置低温光照培养箱中于0 ℃下分别处理1、4、8、12和24 h。每个处理时间设置3个生物学重复,每个生物学重复包含21个盛花期花枝。每次低温处理从25 ℃开始降温,光照度设置为1000 μmol·m-2·s-1,降温速度为10 ℃·h-1,降到10 ℃时将光照度设置为0,达到所需的0 ℃后分别维持1、4、8、12和24 h后取出,使用镊子采集花朵的雌蕊(子房、花柱和柱头),将样品放置于5 mL离心管中立即用液氮速冻,在-80 ℃超低温冰箱保存。为完整捕捉花器官从应激响应到损伤累积的生理动态,设定CK、1、4、8、12及24 h六个时间点进行生理指标测定;为精准检测低温响应早期的基因表达关键节点,选取CK、1、4、8 h四个时间点开展转录组测序。

1.2 生理指标的测定和计算方法

相对电导率测定方法:取0.5 g梨花雌蕊样品纵向切开放入50 mL去离子水中,振荡30 min,测定浸泡液的初始电导率值EC1。浸泡12 h后,将样品连同浸泡液一起煮沸30 min,使电解质完全释放,冷却至室温,测定煮沸后浸泡液的电导率值EC2,其计算见公式(1):

采用丙二醛(MDA)含量检测试剂盒(微量法)测定MDA含量;采用超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性检测试剂(比色法)测定SOD活性;采用过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性检测试剂盒(紫外比色法)测定CAT活性;采用过氧化物酶(POD)活性检测试剂盒(比色法)测定POD活性;采用植物可溶性糖(SS)含量检测试剂盒(比色法)测定可溶性糖含量;采用考马斯亮蓝法测定可溶性蛋白(SP)含量。所用试剂盒均购自生工生物工程(上海)股份有限公司。

1.3 玉露香梨转录组测序分析

本研究选择玉露香梨对照组(CK)和低温胁迫(0 ℃)处理1 h(CT1)、4 h(CT4)和8 h(CT8)的样品进行转录组测序。测序工作委托北京百迈客生物科技有限公司完成。

1.4 差异表达基因的筛选与功能富集分析

FDR<0.05和|log2FC|≥2为差异基因的筛选标准。采用ClusterProfiler工具中的超几何检验方法进行GO富集分析。同时,基于KEGG数据库开展通路富集分析,揭示低温胁迫下核心代谢与信号通路调控机制。

1.5 加权基因共表达网络

使用BMKCloud在线工具,进行加权基因共表达网络分析,表达量阈值为1,设置基因模块最小基因数为30,模块相似度阈值为0.25,将各样本的生理指标作为性状,使用动态树切割法筛选了分层树中的相似模块。最后基于权重值筛选网络关系对,并通过Cytoscape软件可视化地分析基因共表达网络关系。

1.6 冷响应关键基因表达模式的qRT-PCR验证

选取在差异转录因子表达显著上调的1个DEG,lightcyan模块连接度较高的3个DEGs,以及在富集通路中显著上调的6个DEGs,以EF1α 作为内参基因,每个样品设置3次生物学重复和3次技术重复。以2-ΔΔCT法计算基因的相对表达水平[16]。引物序列详见表1。

表1 qRT-PCR引物信息
Table 1 qRT-PCR primer information

1.7 数据分析

试验数据采集后,采用SPSS Statistics 26.0、Microsoft Excel 16.0及DPS 7.05等统计分析软件进行相关性分析及方差分析(ANOVA),通过单因素方差分析结合Duncan多重比较法进行组间差异显著性检验(P<0.05),借助GraphPad Prism 8完成数据可视化。图像后期处理采用Adobe Photoshop 2018软件执行,基于BMKCloud与Metware Cloud生物信息学云平台完成转录组数据的深度解析。

2 结果与分析

2.1 低温胁迫下玉露香梨花器官表型观察

如图1所示,在低温胁迫1 h时,花器官无明显变化;4 h时,花器官子房开始发黑;8 h时,花柱部分褐化;12 h时,花柱和柱头褐化明显,花瓣逐渐透明;24 h时,子房冻伤,褐化严重,花柱和柱头褐化,雄蕊部分萎蔫。

图1 低温胁迫不同时长下花器官表型变化
Fig.1 Phenotype changes of flower organs under different durations of low temperature stress

2.2 玉露香梨在低温胁迫下的生理特征

2.2.1 低温胁迫对玉露香梨雌蕊细胞膜系统的影响 随着低温胁迫的持续,玉露香梨的MDA含量和相对电导率呈上升-下降-上升的趋势。MDA含量在8和24 h达到峰值,较CK分别增加了7.27%、7.10%;相对电导率在4 h达到峰值,较CK显著上升26.11%,表明雌蕊在4~8 h时膜系统损伤严重。两个指标均在12 h显著下降,在24 h时又显著上升,反映了随着低温胁迫时间的延长,雌蕊细胞膜受损程度的动态变化(图2)。

图2 梨花雌蕊丙二醛含量和相对电导率对低温胁迫的响应
Fig.2 Response of malondialdehyde content and relative electrical conductivity in pistil of pear flower to low temperature stress

不同小写字母表示处理时间之间差异显著(P<0.05)。下同。
Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences among treatment times(P<0.05).The same below.

2.2.2 低温胁迫对玉露香梨雌蕊抗氧化酶活性的影响 低温胁迫1 h后,玉露香梨的CAT、POD活性显著升至最大值,分别较CK增加1.10倍、0.43倍;SOD活性在24 h升至最大值,较CK增加1.22倍。CAT活性在24 h显著下降,POD活性在8~24 h时回落至初始水平,表明在低温胁迫持续下酶系统逐渐失活,导致氧化损伤加重(图3)。

图3 梨花雌蕊抗氧化酶活性对低温胁迫的响应
Fig.3 Response of antioxidant enzyme activities in pistil of pear flower to low temperature stress

2.2.3 低温胁迫对玉露香梨雌蕊渗透调节系统的影响 随着低温胁迫的持续,玉露香梨雌蕊可溶性糖含量呈上升-下降的趋势,在12 h时达到最大值,较CK显著增加46.38%;可溶性蛋白含量先上升后下降,在1 h时达到最大值,较CK增加19.13%。在24 h时可溶性糖含量显著降低,在1~12 h时可溶性蛋白含量持续下降,表明在玉露香梨抗寒后期,糖积累能力小于蛋白(图4)。

图4 梨花雌蕊可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量对低温胁迫的响应
Fig.4 Response of soluble sugar and soluble protein content in pistil of pear flower to low temperature stress

2.2.4 相关性分析 由表2可知,玉露香梨雌蕊抗寒生理指标间存在相关性。其中,SOD活性与CAT活性、POD活性呈显著正相关,表明低温胁迫下SOD可协同CAT、POD共同清除活性氧,缓解氧化损伤,且胁迫时间越长,抗氧化酶系统协同作用越显著;MDA含量与相对电导率呈显著正相关,表明细胞膜脂过氧化程度越高,细胞膜通透性越强,细胞损伤越严重;SP含量与POD活性呈极显著正相关,揭示SP可通过维持POD活性增强抗氧化能力,共同参与低温胁迫响应。其余指标间的相关系数未达到统计学显著水平(P>0.05),表明其相互作用强度相对较弱。

表2 梨花雌蕊抗寒性生理指标间的相关系数
Table 2 Correlation coefficient between physiological indexes of cold resistance in pistil of pear flower

注:*、**分别表示在0.05、0.01水平上显著相关。
Note:*and**indicate significant correlation at the 0.05 and 0.01 levels,respectively.

2.3 低温胁迫下玉露香梨花器官转录组分析

2.3.1 转录组数据质控与比对结果分析 经Illumina高通量测序平台质控分析后,12个样品共获取75.17 Gb高质量Clean data,各样本平均Q30值≥94.26%、Q20值≥97.85%,达到二代测序质量控制标准。本研究中所有样本GC含量稳定在45.79%~46.21%,处于正常范围,表明转录组数据具有优良的碱基平衡性与测序准确性。

通过对比Clean reads和参考基因组Pyrus_pyrifolia. Yunhong_NO.1(http://pyrusgdb.sdau.edu.cn)获得唯一比对Reads值。参考基因组覆盖度为90.59%~91.65%,参考基因组与测序数据的比对率高,所选参考基因组可用于后续分析。

2.3.2 差异表达基因分析 图5为6对不同处理比较组的韦恩分析结果,展示了比较组之间DEGs的重叠关系及共有和特有的DEGs数目。其中,对5个处理组的DEGs取交集,共获得22个基因(图5-A),主要涉及信号转导(STKs、PP2C、RING)、转录调控(AP2、DBD)、渗透保护(TPS、Dehydrin、LEA)及代谢适应(LOX、GH14),还有3个未知基因。差异表达基因热图显示(图5-B),这些DEGs参与了玉露香梨响应低温胁迫的整个过程,在低温应答响应中发挥重要作用。

图5 差异表达基因分布结果
Fig.5 Distribution results of differentially expressed genes

A.差异表达基因韦恩图;B.22个抗寒基因热图。
A.Wayne diagram of differentially expressed genes;B.Heat map of 22 cold resistance genes.

2.3.3 差异表达基因GO富集分析 对CK_vs_CT1、CK_vs_CT4和CK_vs_CT8三个对比组的DGEs进行GO功能富集分析,图6显示了top10的富集结果。在分子功能中,蛋白质丝氨酸/苏氨酸磷酸酶活性(protein serine/threonine phosphatase activity)富集程度最高;在生物过程中,信号传导(signal transduction)富集程度最高,对脂质的反应(response to lipid)富集程度次之;在细胞组分中,细胞核(nucleus)富集数量最多。信号转导(磷酸酶)、膜系统维护(脂质响应)对应此前的3个生理维度:抗氧化、膜稳定性、渗透调节。基于此,推测玉露香梨在低温胁迫下激活磷酸酶与脂质反应,并通过细胞核内转录调控,以调节抗氧化酶活性和渗透调节物质的积累。

图6 对照组与处理组差异表达基因GO富集气泡图
Fig.6 GO enrichment bubble chart of differentially expressed genes between the control group and the treatment group

2.3.4 差异表达基因的KEGG富集分析 由图7可知,3个比较组的差异表达基因主要富集在膦酸盐和次膦酸盐代谢(phosphonate and phosphinate metabolism)、植物昼夜节律(circadian rhythm-plant)、亚油酸代谢(linoleic acid metabolism)等。植物激素信号转导(plant hormone signal transduction)、植物病原体互作(plant-pathogen interaction)、植物MAPK信号通路(MAPK signaling pathway-plant)、淀粉和蔗糖代谢(starch and sucrose metabolism)富集数量大。以上结果表明,与这些富集通路相关的差异表达基因在响应低温胁迫中发挥主要作用。植物激素信号转导通路中,差异显著的蛋白磷酸酶2C(PP2C)是多种信号转导途径的关键调节因子,通过调节激素代谢信号响应低温胁迫。在低温胁迫1 h时,ROS爆发,玉露香梨雌蕊通过激活MAPK信号通路并增加亚油酸代谢促使膜脂重构,提高抗氧化酶活性以维持细胞膜的流动性,抑制MDA含量和相对电导率的升高。磷酸盐代谢、淀粉水解以及植物昼夜节律相关基因通过建立渗透调节系统,积累可溶性蛋白,增强细胞保水能力,从而保护雌蕊胚囊细胞。

图7 对照组与处理组差异表达基因KEGG富集气泡图
Fig.7 KEGG enrichment bubble chart of differentially expressed genes between the control group and the treatment group

2.3.5 差异转录因子分析 在低温处理的梨花器官中,共鉴定出204个差异转录因子。其中,WRKY家族成员数量最多(15个),其他依次是C2H2(10个)、AP2/ERF(9个)、MYB(7个)、RLK/Pelle(7个)、bHLH(7个)、HSF(6个)、bZIP(6个)等。在WRKY家族中,WRKY53WRKY11 基因表达量在CT1处理下最高(图8)。

图8 差异表达转录因子统计图
Fig.8 Statistical map of differentially expressed transcription factors

A.差异表达转录因子统计图(前18个);B.WRKY家族基因表达热图。
A.statistical chart of differentially expressed transcription factors(top 18);B.Heat map of WRKY family gene expression.

2.3.6 加权基因共表达网络构建 为了进一步研究低温胁迫对梨花器官生长影响的调控网络,笔者以RNA测序产生的DEGs为源数据进行了加权基因共表达网络构建。根据WGCNA结果,将互连程度较高的基因簇定义为模块,同一模块内的基因具有较高的相关系数。使用Merge Cut Heigh=0.1的动态砍树方法,同时采用Pearson计算方法进行基因间的相关性分析,共鉴定出16个与生理指标高度相关的关键基因模块。不同颜色代表不同模块,其中灰色模块表示无法归类于任何模块的基因。基于模块特征值与生理指标数据关联分析,以|r|>0.8,P<0.005为依据筛选模块。其中,lightcyan模块与SOD、POD活性显著相关,magenta模块与SOD活性显著相关,cyan模块与SS含量显著相关(图9)。

图9 加权基因共表达网络分析
Fig.9 Weighted gene co-expression network analysis

A.共表达模块的分层聚类树;B.模块-性状相关性分析结果。
A.Hierarchical clustering tree of co-expression modules;B.Module-trait correlation analysis result.

2.3.7 lightcyan模块分析 对与SOD、POD密切相关的基因模块进行分析。这些基因在CT1处理下表达量显著上升,表明模块基因在低温胁迫早期被激活,在低温响应中发挥作用。GO分析显示,这些基因主要富集在棉子糖代谢过程、棉子糖分解代谢过程、半乳糖苷酶活性、α-半乳糖苷酶活性、CCR4-NOT复合物等通路。棉子糖在植物抗逆性中发挥关键作用,半乳糖苷酶和α-半乳糖苷酶可以催化棉子糖分解为单糖,单糖可以进一步参与能量代谢或其他生物合成过程,这一过程在植物中尤为重要。KEGG分析显示,这些基因主要富集于倍半萜和三萜类生物合成、类固醇生物合成、亚油酸代谢、苯丙氨酸和酪氨酸及色氨酸生物合成等通路,表明梨花器官在低温胁迫时通过增强这些重要代谢物的合成以应对环境压力(图10)。

图10 lightcyan模块的共表达网络构建
Fig.10 Construction of co expression network of lightcyan module

A.Lightcyan模块基因共表达网络(weight>0.3);B.Lightcyan模块基因共表达热图;C.Lightcyan模块KEGG富集气泡图;D.Lightcyan模块GO富集气泡图;E.Lightcyan模块基因表达趋势图。
A.Lightcyan module gene co expression network (weight>0.3);B.Lightcyan module gene co expression heatmap;C.Lightcyan module KEGG enrichment bubble plot;D.Lightcyan module GO enriches bubble plots;E.Gene expression trend graph of the lightcyan module.

基于共表达网络中的weight值(weight>0.3),选取了前85个网络关系对构建基因共表达子网络,筛选出连接度较高的基因:Pspp.Chr03.01170CAF1)、Pspp.Chr07.02018CES1)、Pspp.Chr07.00236SQE1)、Pspp.Chr15.03481CCR4)等。

2.3.8 低温响应关键基因qRT-PCR验证 为了验证转录组数据的可靠性,选取了差异转录因子中显著上调表达的WRKY53,lightcan模块中连接度较高的CAF1CCR4SQE1,以及在富集通路中显著上调表达的PP2C06PP2C51 等10个DEGs,分别在CK和低温处理的3个时间节点上,对玉露香梨相关DEGs的表达水平进行测定。10个DEGs的qRTPCR基因表达量与RNA-Seq变化趋势一致性较高(图11),证明本研究的RNA-Seq结果真实可靠。

图11 10个差异表达基因的qRT-PCR验证
Fig.11 qRT-PCR verification of 10 differentially expressed genes

图11 (续)Fig.11 (Continued)

3 讨论

本研究通过测定多项生理指标,揭示了玉露香梨雌蕊对低温胁迫的动态生理响应规律。MDA作为膜脂过氧化的终产物,其积累与细胞膜透性增加直接相关,且植物抗寒性与MDA含量、相对电导率呈负相关,两个指标均可有效反映低温胁迫下细胞膜的损伤程度,其数值越高,植株抗寒能力越弱[17-18]。在低温胁迫处理1 h时,玉露香梨MDA含量与相对电导率增长缓慢,可能与其1 h高效的抗氧化系统和可溶性蛋白水平的维持有关;POD、SOD、CAT酶活性显著上升,且SOD、CAT、POD活性与胁迫时间呈显著正相关,表明玉露香梨通过多种抗氧化酶的协同作用减轻氧化损伤。但当胁迫加剧并超出了花器官自身的承受范围后,抗氧化酶含量会显著下降;后期含量再次升高可能是花器官的适应性调整。类似地,在苹果、枣、猕猴桃等植物中,低温胁迫响应受转录因子和ABA激素信号调控[19-20],通过多酶协同与抗氧化物质联合[21],增强细胞保水能力并稳定膜结构,减轻氧化损伤[22-23]

在玉露香梨的转录组分析中,CK_vs_CT1、CK_vs_CT4、CK_vs_CT8组中分别鉴定到1836、1125、1512个DEGs,其中上调基因的占比分别为82.41%、86.75%、84.59%,表明低温胁迫早期基因表达被广泛激活。根据热图可知,大多数基因在CT1时上调表达,促进植物胁迫适应。蛋白磷酸酶(PP2C)负调控ABA信号通路,影响冷胁迫下气孔关闭和基因表达;AP2转录因子,可能直接激活冷响应基因表达[24]。少数基因在CT8时期高表达,介导冷胁迫响应。Dehydrin保护细胞膜和酶免受脱水损伤,通过结合水分子维持低温下细胞稳态;CAP160序列与LEA蛋白类似,通过亲水结构保护细胞大分子,并积累蛋白质使植物免受低温脱水损伤,维持细胞渗透平衡。这与生理数据中可溶性蛋白含量的动态变化一致[25]

GO和KEGG富集结果表明,抗寒基因在低温信号感知、传递和代谢调整等通路中发挥核心作用。其中,植物激素信号通路参与玉露香梨应对低温胁迫的响应。研究表明,荔枝PP2C 基因家族成员中,66个成员的启动子区含有至少一种与赤霉素、脱落酸、茉莉酸甲酯或水杨酸相关的顺式作用元件,而67个成员则具有至少一种与干旱、低温、厌氧诱导、缺氧诱导、防御及胁迫相关的响应元件,揭示PP2C家族可能广泛参与复杂的信号通路调节,以应对不利的环境条件[26]。本研究同样发现梨PP2C 家族基因在植物激素信号通路中显著富集并上调表达,其中PP2C06 在CT1处理中上调3.8倍,PP2C51在CT4处理中上调6.9倍,推测两个基因可能通过参与激素信号调控,在梨低温胁迫响应中发挥重要作用。MAPK信号通路的激活增加亚油酸代谢促使膜脂重构并参与ABA信号转导,提高抗氧化酶活性,维持细胞膜的流动性,使玉露香POD活性在1 h后显著升高。几丁质响应通路虽然通常与病原防御相关,但在非生物胁迫中可能通过激活MAPK级联反应增强抗寒性[27]。在苹果休眠期花芽响应低温胁迫的早期反应机制中发现,Ca2+信号通路及植物激素信号转导通路激活了ABA、BR、GA激素的表达反应,调控花芽冷胁迫过程,表明多重通路发挥了调控作用[28]。同样,在水稻短期冷胁迫下发现具有相似的调控途径,表明激素交叉表达在抗寒中发挥核心作用[29];MAPK通路则可能在低温信号感知与传递中发挥核心作用。此外,淀粉和蔗糖代谢通路富集表明,玉露香梨可能通过快速调整碳代谢以积累可溶性糖,维持细胞渗透平衡,这与拟南芥[30]、葡萄[31]等植物的抗寒机制具有相似性。低温胁迫下,淀粉酶活性升高导致淀粉含量降低;同时,可溶性糖(蔗糖、葡萄糖)积累,为细胞提供渗透保护并维持能量供应[31]

对低温响应相关差异表达转录因子进行筛选,发现WRKY家族中WRKY11WRKY53 表达水平最高,在1 h中表达量显著上调。已知在多种植物中,WRKY家族成员(MdWRKY23CsWRKY29Cs-WRKY37 以及番茄WRKY34)均表现出较强的抗寒功能[32]。例如,MdWRKY23 基因过表达可显著增强植株的低温耐性[33]。蔷薇科苹果属植物Malus baccata(L.)Borkh.转录因子MbWRKY50 通过提高与ROS清除相关的抗氧化能力,增强转基因番茄对低温胁迫的抵抗力[34]。在低温胁迫响应过程中,WRKY转录因子充当调节应激敏感基因表达的分子开关[35]。本研究通过qRT-PCR检测发现,WRKY53在低温胁迫1 h时被迅速激活,相对表达量上调18倍;在4 h和8 h时分别上调3倍和4倍,表明WRKY53在梨花器官应答低温胁迫过程中具有重要调控作用。

通过WGCNA分析鉴定出一个与SOD和POD活性显著相关的基因模块(lightcyan)。该模块基因在CT1时期表达量显著上调并达到峰值,提示其在低温胁迫早期即开始发挥积极作用。其核心基因CAF1SQE1CCR4等具有较高连接度。CAF1作为CCR4-NOT复合体的核心组分,水稻OsCAF1 能够提高幼苗对低温胁迫的耐受性,过表达株系的过氧化氢水平显著低于野生型,且在低温处理后仍维持较低的水平,暗示OsCAF1 可能通过增强抗氧化酶活性以提升抗寒能力[36]。本研究中,梨CAF1的表达水平与抗氧化酶活性显著相关。qRT-PCR结果显示其在低温胁迫1 h时表达量上调4倍,推测梨CAF1可能通过调节抗氧化酶系统参与早期低温胁迫响应。SQE1是合成甾醇和三萜类化合物的限速酶,大豆GmSQE1 过表达可显著增强对氧化应激的耐受性,并减轻氧化损伤,表明SQE1介导的代谢途径在ROS调控和细胞抗氧化中具有关键作用[37]。本研究中,梨SQE1 的表达水平同样与抗氧化酶活性显著相关,其在整个低温胁迫阶段均显著上调,尤其在1 h时上调达43倍。此外,该基因富集于萜类化合物合成通路。因此,推测梨SQE1 可能通过调控三萜类化合物的合成,增强抗氧化酶活性,从而参与早期低温胁迫响应。上述结果揭示了梨花器官对低温胁迫的响应受复杂调控网络的精细调节。本研究聚焦梨花器官在持续低温胁迫下生理和分子水平的动态响应,整合生理指标测定与转录组测序关联分析,鉴定到关键响应基因。因这些基因在梨中的功能尚未被系统研究,进一步挖掘其作用机制有望为解析梨花器官低温应答机制提供新视角。后续将开展不同梨品种花器官的抗寒性评价,以进一步揭示梨花器官抗寒性的分子基础。

4 结论

随着低温胁迫时间延长,玉露香梨花器官的MDA含量与相对电导率呈“升-降-升”的变化趋势,抗氧化酶活性及可溶性蛋白含量呈现“升-降-升-降”的波动趋势,可溶性糖含量则先升后降,表明花器官通过抗氧化系统与渗透调节参与低温响应。植物激素信号转导、MAPK信号通路、淀粉与蔗糖代谢以及脂代谢等通路均参与梨花器官低温胁迫的调控。PP2C06PP2C51 可能介导激素信号转导响应低温胁迫,WRKY53 在胁迫早期发挥关键作用,CAF1SQE1 则通过调控抗氧化酶活性参与低温响应。本研究为解析梨花器官低温应答机制提供了潜在基因资源。

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Physiological responses and transcriptome analysis of floral organs to low-temperature stress in Yuluxiang pear

Liu Xiaoyu1,Zang Ainan1,2,Yuan Qianqian1,2,Fu Baochun1,3*,Bai Mudan1,Zhang Xiaowei1,Hao Guowei1,Wang Yanping1,Yang Sheng1

(1Pomology Institute,Shanxi Agricultural University/Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Improvement and Utilization in Pomology,Taiyuan 030031,Shanxi,China;2College of Forestry,Shanxi Agricultural University,Taigu 030801,Shanxi,China;3Shanxi Yuncheng Vocational College of Agriculture,Yuncheng 044000,Shanxi,China)

Abstract: 【Objective】Global climate change has led to increased frequency of spring frost events during the flowering period of pear trees,causing severe damage to flower organs and significant economic losses.Yuluxiang pear (Pyrus bretschneideri) is an important cultivar in northern China.Current research on the cold resistance mechanisms of its floral organs has primarily focused on freezing injury investigations,disaster loss assessments,field protection techniques,and physiological responses under temperature gradients.However,the physiological and molecular response mechanisms of floral organs under prolonged duration of low-temperature stress remain unclear.Low-temperature stress during the flowering period in major growing regions of Yuluxiang pear,such as Xixian County and Taigu County occurs frequently.This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the physiological and transcriptomic responses of Yuluxiang pear flower organs under sustained low-temperature stress,identify key genes involved in cold stress response and regulatory pathways,and provide candidate genes and a theoretical foundation for molecular breeding of cold-tolerant pear varieties.【Methods】Flower organs at full blooming stage were collected and subjected to 0 ℃for different durations (1 h,4 h,8 h,12 h,and 24 h).The control group (CK) was maintained at room temperature.The physiological indicators,including malondialdehyde(MDA)content,relative electrical conductivity,activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase (CAT),and peroxidase (POD),as well as soluble sugar (SS) and soluble protein (SP)content,were measured.The transcriptome sequencing was performed on CK and low-temperaturetreated samples (CT1,CT4,CT8) using Illumina high-throughput sequencing.The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened with thresholds of FDR <0.05 and |log2FC| ≥2.The functional enrichment analysis (GO and KEGG),weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA),and qRT-PCR validation were conducted to identify key genes and pathways involved in cold stress response.【Results】Under low-temperature stress,the floral organs began to exhibit visible damage over time:at 4 h,the ovary started to blacken;at 8 h,the style showed browning;at 12 h,pronounced browning was observed in both the style and stigma,while the petals gradually turned translucent;by 24 h,the ovary was severely frozen and browned,the style and stigma were fully browned,and some stamens began to wilt.With prolonged low-temperature stress,MDA content and relative electrical conductivity showed a fluctuating upward trend,with peaks at 8 h and 4 h,respectively.The antioxidant enzyme activities(SOD,CAT,POD)increased significantly in the early stage(1 h)and then decreased,indicating progressively severe oxidative damage that exceeded the floral organs’self-tolerance capacity,led to a notable decrease in antioxidant defense ability.The later rise in enzyme activities might reflect adaptive adjustments by the floral organs in the late stage of stress.Moreover,SOD activity showed a significant positive correlation with the activities of CAT and POD,as well as with stress duration,suggesting that Yuluxiang pear mitigated oxidative damage through the synergistic action of multiple antioxidant enzymes.The soluble sugar content peaked at 12 h,while the soluble protein content peaked at 1 h and then declined.The transcriptome analysis identified 1836,1125,and 1512 DEGs in CK_vs_CT1,CK_vs_CT4,and CK_vs_CT8,respectively.The DEGs were significantly enriched in plant hormone signal transduction,MAPK signaling pathway,starch and sucrose metabolism,and lipid metabolism.A significant upregulation was observed in the expression of the plant hormone signal transduction-related genes PP2C06 and PP2C51.The key transcription factors,especially from the WRKY family(WRKY53),were significantly upregulated at CT1.The analysis of the hub genes within the module highly correlated with SOD and POD activities revealed that the genes in the lightcyan module exhibited the highest expression levels and were significantly upregulated at CT1.The core genes,including the pspp.Chr03.01170 (CAF1),the pspp.Chr07.00236 (SQE1),were identified as potential key regulators.These genes likely enhance the cold tolerance of yuluxiang pear floral organs through the regulation of antioxidant enzyme activiy.The qRT-PCR validation of ten selected DEGs confirmed the reliability of the RNA-seq data.【Conclusion】The Yuluxiang pear flower organs responded to low-temperature stress through a complex regulatory network involving antioxidant defense,osmotic adjustment,and transcriptional reprogramming.The key genes and pathways,including members of the PP2C gene family、WRKY transcription factors and the lightcyan module genes,would play crucial roles in the response to low-temperature stress.These findings would provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of cold resistance in pear flowers and offer candidate genes for future molecular breeding efforts aiming at improving cold tolerance in pear and other fruit trees.The subsequent research mightbe carried out on cold resistance evaluations of floral organs across different pear varieties and integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to elucidate the molecular basis of varietal differences in cold tolerance.Concurrently,it is essential to validate the biological functions of genes such as WRKY53,CAF1,and SQE1 using gene editing or transgenic technologies,in order to clarify their specific roles in the low-temperature signaling pathway and further investigate their downstream target genes.

Key words: Yuluxiang pear;Low-temperature stress;Physiological indicators;Transcriptome;Weighted gene co-expression network analysis

中图分类号:S661.2

文献标志码:A

文章编号:1009-9980(2026)06-1347-16

DOI: 10.13925/j.cnki.gsxb.20250500

收稿日期:2025-09-18接受日期:2025-11-29

基金项目:山西省基础研究计划资助项目(202203021211279);山西农业大学博士人才引进科研启动项目(2022BQ17);曲沃县国家现代农业产业园项目-果树博士工作站建设项目(SXRTFWZB2506-26-3);山西省基础研究计划资助项目(202403021222097);山西省高等学校科技创新项目(2023L044);山西省科技成果转化引导专项(202204021301037);山西省科技重大专项计划揭榜挂帅项目(202201140601027-2);国家重点研发计划项目子任务(2021YFD1901105-X-Y);兵团科技计划项目(2024AB040、2023AB004-01);山西重点研发计划课题(202402140601010-02)

作者简介:刘晓宇,男,助理研究员,博士,研究方向为梨新品种选育及抗性改良。E-mail:xiaoyuliuuk@163.com

*通信作者 Author for correspondence.E-mail:sxyyfbc@163.com