Comparative transcriptomics of multi-stress responses in Pachycladoncheesemanii and Arabidopsis thaliana

Environmental stresses affect both plant growth and provide some tolerance to multiple stresses and it is widely reported that there is overlap and crosstalk between stress responses. The New Zealand native plant species and close relative to Arabidopsis thaliana, Pachycladon cheesemanii grows under environmental conditions that are unsustainable for many plant species. In our study, both A. thaliana and P. cheesemanii were treated with low temperatures, salt, or UV-B radiation, and the stress transcriptomes were then determined. Comparative transcriptome and network analyses were performed to discover similar and unique stress responses within the two species, and between the two plant species. The study aimed to construct common stress-response pathways for A. thaliana and P. cheesemanii and to identify possible novel plant strategies that help mitigate environmental stress. The research contributes to research that aims to improve climate change resilience in agriculture.