RNAseq of C. quitensis exposed to persistent organic pollutants

Antarctica is one of the most sensitive ecosystems to the negative effects of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) on biodiversity due to lower temperatures, that promote their accumulation or even biomagnification; however, the impact on vascular plants is unknown. Moreover, fungal symbionts could modulate the effects on host plants to cope with this stress factor. This study investigates the molecular and ecophysiological responses of the Antarctic plant Colobanthus quitensis to POPs in different populations along a latitudinal gradient, emphasizing the role of endophytic fungi. The results show that C. quitensis in association with fungal endophytes induced lower lipid peroxidation, higher proline content and higher photosynthetic capacity, as well as higher biomass and survival percentage. On the other hand, endophytic fungi play a crucial role in modulating the response of the Antarctic population of C. quitensis at 67S, significantly contributing to its overall functional adaptation. Transcriptomics analyses reveal how endophytes enhance the tolerance of C. quitensis to POPs. Our findings indicate significant gene expression changes related to stress response and detoxification, underscoring endophytes' contribution to plant resilience under environmental stress, particularly in extreme conditions like Antarctica. The implications of these findings are relevant for the biosecurity of one of the last pristine bastions worldwide.南极是全球对持久性有机污染物（Persistent Organic Pollutants, POPs）损害生物多样性的负面影响最为敏感的生态系统之一，因低温环境会促进这类污染物的累积甚至生物放大；但目前学界对其对维管植物的影响仍不明晰。此外，真菌共生体可调控宿主植物应对该胁迫因子的响应。本研究以沿纬度梯度分布的不同种群的南极漆姑草（Colobanthus quitensis）为研究对象，探究其在持久性有机污染物胁迫下的分子与生态生理响应，并重点关注内生真菌（endophytic fungi）的调控作用。研究结果显示，与真菌内生菌共生的南极漆姑草，其脂质过氧化程度更低、脯氨酸含量更高、光合能力更强，同时生物量与存活率也更为可观。另一方面，内生真菌对南纬67°的南极漆姑草种群的胁迫响应具有关键调控作用，可显著提升其整体功能适应性。转录组学（Transcriptomics）分析揭示了内生真菌如何增强南极漆姑草对持久性有机污染物的耐受能力。本研究发现，与胁迫响应及解毒功能相关的基因表达发生显著变化，这进一步凸显了内生真菌在植物应对环境胁迫（尤其是南极这类极端环境）时对其抗逆性的提升作用。本研究的相关发现，对全球最后几处原始生态堡垒之一的生物安全保障具有重要参考价值。