Comparative RNA sequencing for deciphering nodes of multiple abiotic stress tolerance in lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus)

Abstract

Lentil is a highly proteinaceous crop whose productivity is severely hampered by various abiotic stresses. Transcriptome analysis unveils important metabolic pathways, regulatory genes and can help in identification of genomic resources which can be utilized for ameliorating abiotic stress tolerance. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to dissect transcriptomes of contrasting lentil genotypes under different stresses; drought, heat, salinity and alkalinity. Differential gene expression analysis and annotation were conducted by de novo transcriptomics and their functional correlation under diverse stresses was established using gene ontology analyses. Major differentially expressed genes (DEGs) which were found to be up-regulated under drought and heat stresses were involved in organic acid synthesis and translational regulation. Similarly, DEGs which were co-upregulated under salinity and alkalinity stresses belonged to abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, epigenetic regulation, sucrose transport, vesicular trafficking and regulation of cation transport at the root symplast-xylem interface. Data generated in this study can be used to elucidate converging tolerance pathways under multiple abiotic stresses. The information can be utilized in molecular breeding and gene pyramiding programmes of lentil and related species.