Comparative Transcriptomic analysis between Low-and High-Zinc and Iron accumulating Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes reveals the Metabolic Changes

Main objective of the project to increase Zinc (Zn) and Iron (Fe) concentration in the wheat seeds, which can be helpful to reduce the globally spread malnutrition problem. In current work, 4 High-Zn & Fe-accumulating wheat genotypes (HZFWGs) and 3 Low-Zn & Fe accumulating wheat genotypes (LZFWGs) were grown in homogeneous soil plots with essential nutrients and growth conditions. Twenty-one pots were filled with 30 kg homogeneous soil for growing 7 genotypes into 3 replications. This experiment was conducted during November to December 2014-15 and 2015-16. Ten plants in each of pot were maintained and after 80 days of sowing, 3 biological replicates of plant leaves of HZFWGs and LZFWGs were collated for total RNA extraction. Further libraries of all samples were prepared and transcriptome sequencing was performed using Illumina HiSeq-2500. Comparative transcriptomic provides differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis revealed that 280 up- and 244 down-regulated genes are actively participating in transcriptional changes. Gene expression pattern analysis suggested that Zn/Fe mediated transcriptional changes occurs low in LZFWGs in comparison to HZFWGs. GO based functional enrichment of DEGs infers genotype-specific biological processes and molecular functions, coped with accumulation of Zn & Fe. The enhanced Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis is involved in response to various stresses in LZFWGs, while other similar metabolic pathways are also participating in plant stress defense mechanism in both genotypes. Chlorophyll synthesis, Metal binding, Zn/Fe binding, metal ion transport and ATP-Synthase coupled transport are highly active in HZFWGs while ribosomal formation, biomolecules binding activities and secondary metabolite biosynthesis played important roles in LZFWGs.