Transcriptome profiling of lichen myco- and photobionts of Lobaria pulmobaria during ultraviolet-B exposure

We used raw RNA-Seq data from the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria to analyze changes in gene expression in response to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) treatment. The aim of the present work was to unravel the UV-B-induced defense response in the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria based on physiological traits and transcriptional profiling. Here we analyzed gene expression in mycobionts (Lobaria pulmonaria) and photobionts (Symbiochloris reticulata) after 80 min daily application of UV-B treatment of Lobaria pulmonaria thalli for two weeks. Special attention was paid to the UV-B-induced expression of the genes encoding stress tolerance proteins (heat shock proteins, antioxidants, etc.) and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of photoprotective metabolites. Overall design: The thalli of Lobaria pulmonaria from the experimental groups were irradiated with UV-B fluorescent erythema lamps (3 W/m2) for 80 min daily for 14 days. Total RNA was extracted from samples at day 0, 2, 7 and 11. Samples from each irradiation time point were sequenced in two or three biological replicates.