Long Non-Coding RNAs Responsive to Temperature Stress Conditions in Tea Plants

Tea plants exposed to temperature stress conditions exhibit reduced quality and yield. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators in temperature stress responses. A genome-wide lncRNA analysis using RNA sequencing data from tea plants under varying temperature stresses was carried out in this study. The analysis identified a total of 23589 putative lncRNAs, with 2483 being differentially expressed (DE). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) showed 445 DE lncRNAs co-expressed with 544 genes associated to temperature stress responses. Functional annotation indicated that these genes are involved in processes like protein folding, cellular response to decreased oxygen level, response to hypoxia, unfolded protein binding, and response to heat during high temperature stresses; and response to cold, water transport, and water channel activity during low temperature stresses. Additionally, competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network analysis revealed 230 temperature-responsive lncRNAs regulating 400 DE genes via 106 microRNAs (miRNAs). To validate high-throughput sequencing data, primers were designed for eight DE lncRNAs, and their expression levels were confirmed. This study enhances understanding of lncRNAs in temperature stress responses, providing a foundation for further research in tea plants.