Integrative multi-omic analysis of chilling stress to pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)

Therefore, to understand the molecular mechanisms of the chilling stress in C. moschata, we analyzed the transcriptome and metabolome profiles in leaves of C. moschata under chilling stress by high-throughput transcriptome sequencing and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. A total of 5,780 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were discovered in the leaves upon chilling stress. Furthermore, some amino acids and sugar were detected with significant changes by metabolome analysis. Key DEGs and differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) involved in plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, Ca2+ signaling, ICE (Inducer of CBF expression)-CBF (C-repeat binding factor)-COR (Cold-regulated gene) signalling, etc. In addition, the transcription factor families of ERF, bHLH, WRKY, MYB, and HSF were activated. These findings provided a theoretical basis for further study on the chilling stress mechanism of C. moschata.