Disorders in brassinosteroids signal transduction triggers the profound molecular alternations in the crown tissue of barley under drought

The aim of the study was the elucidation of drought-induced molecular events occurred in crown tissue of barley. Independent research methods allowed to identify genes (RNA-seq) and corresponding proteins (LC/MS), whose direction of regulation was the same under water deficit conditions. They may represent a promising set of genes in breeding of new varieties with increased drought tolerance. A set of genes with contrasting regulation between the genotypes with different BRs signal transduction efficiency was determined, often of fundamental role in plant development. On the other hand, several genes encoding dehydrins were expressed independently from genotype, thus being suggested as housekeeping genes. Some candidate genes on coordination of phytohormones crosstalk have been also proposed. The multidisciplinary results provided new insights into the significant relationships between gene expression, protein and phytohormone content of crown tissue under abiotic stress.