Whole transcriptome sequencing analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms of exogenous trehalose in tea plant under heat stress

Tea plants (Camellia sinensis) are a crucial leaf-based economic crop widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Tea is a healthy non-alcoholic beverage renowned for its rich taste, aroma, flavor, and numerous polyphenolic compounds. However, the challenges posed by global warming, exacerbated by the greenhouse effect, have threatened tea quality and production. Consequently, it is of utmost importance to devise methods to enhance the heat tolerance of tea plants. One such strategy involves seeking an environmentally friendly protective agent to achieve sustainable yield and quality improvements in tea plants. Trehalose is found in diverse organisms and has numerous effects, including its role as an osmolyte, storage reserve, transport sugar, and stress protectant. Additionally, it has been extensively documented that trehalose can modulate plant responses to various biotic and abiotic stresses, such as heat stress. To clarify the specific effect of trehalose on the heat resistance of tea plants, rRNA-depleted RNAseq was used to explore the molecular mechanisms of exogenous trehalose in tea plant under heat stress.

茶树（Camellia sinensis）是一类重要的叶用经济作物，广泛种植于全球热带与亚热带区域。茶叶作为一款健康的无酒精饮品，以其醇厚口感、馥郁香气、丰富风味与多种多酚类化合物而享誉全球。然而，温室效应加剧的全球变暖所带来的挑战，已对茶叶品质与产量构成威胁。因此，研发提升茶树耐热性的方法至关重要。其中一类策略便是探寻环境友好型防护剂，以实现茶树产量与品质的可持续提升。海藻糖（Trehalose）广泛存在于多种生物体内，具备多种功能：可作为渗透压调节剂、储存性储备物质、转运性糖类以及胁迫保护剂。此外，已有大量研究证实，海藻糖可调控植物对各类生物与非生物胁迫（如热胁迫）的响应。为明确海藻糖对茶树耐热性的具体作用，本研究采用去除核糖体RNA的RNA测序（rRNA-depleted RNAseq）技术，探究热胁迫下外源海藻糖作用于茶树的分子机制。