Transcriptome and proteome analyses reveal selenium mediated amelioration of arsenic toxicity in rice

Rice, a staple food for half of the world's population, contains a considerable amount of toxic arsenic (As). Selenium (Se) has previously been reported as a potent antagonist of As toxicity. To reveal novel aspects of Se supplementation mediated amelioration of As toxicity, present study investigated the correlation between Se induced changes at transcriptome and proteome level in rice. Transcriptome analysis identifies differential expression of several transporters like ABC transporters, NRAMP1, ATPase, NIP5;1, TIPs, Lsi1 and genes related to sulphate transporters (SULTR3;6 and SULTR3;1). Further, cellular defense related genes like OsGSTs (GST29, GST30, GSTU25), Peroxidases (PER2 and PER12), Glutaredoxins, Peroxiredoxins, CytP450 were also significantly modulated in Se mediated As amelioration. Additionally, Auxin (PIN7, SAUR), ABA, Ethylene (ERF1) and Jasmonate (LOX, OPR) were also differentially expressed in As and As + Se treatment. TFs mediated dynamic regulation of MYB, HSPs, WRKY, bZIP, Aux/IAA transcription families among As and As + Se treatment further support the intrinsic regulation of Se mediated reduction in As toxicity. The proteomic approach further strengthens the modulation at the molecular level as proteins related with photosynthesis, transporters and defense responses showed significant modulation upon Se supplementation during As stress. Taken together, present cooperative analysis of transcript and protein profiling provides a novel insight into Se responsive molecular signalling approaches which will be useful to dissect Se responsive pathways against As toxicity in higher plant and for further development of se enriched rice cultivars.