Low-temperature stress response: A transcriptomic study of the WRKY family in Prunus davidiana

Abstract

Low temperature is a crucial environmental factor affecting peach tree growth. The WRKY transcription factor family plays a vital role in plants' responses to low-temperature stress. Understanding the expression patterns and functions of WRKY genes in peach trees under low-temperature stress is essential for uncovering the molecular mechanisms of cold tolerance and guiding the breeding of new cold-tolerant peach varieties. This study analyzed the transcriptome of cold-tolerant peach varieties following low-temperature treatment. Bioinformatics and quantitative real-time PCR were used to systematically analyze the structure, function, and expression characteristics of WRKY family members associated with low-temperature tolerance in peach trees. Results revealed complex transcriptional responses in peach trees under low-temperature stress, with 7029 differentially expressed genes identified and significantly enriched in multiple Gene Ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, indicating the diverse mechanisms of low-temperature response. Among the transcription factor families, the ERF, MYB, bHLH, NAC, and WRKY families showed significant responses to low-temperature stress. PpWRKY58 exhibited robust and specific upregulation under low-temperature stress, and yeast transformation showed enhanced activity under low-temperature conditions. This suggests a potential role for PpWRKY58 in peach cold hardiness. While WRKY family involvement in plant responses to low-temperature stress is known, our study reveals the specific function of PpWRKY58 in the peach low-temperature response, offering new insights into peach cold tolerance mechanisms, and suggesting PpWRKY58 as a potential target for improving peach cold hardiness.