Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Revealed Candidate Genes Potentially Related to Desiccation Sensitivity of Recalcitrant Quercus variabilis Seeds

Chinese cork oak ( Quercus variabilis ) is a widely distributed and highly valuable deciduous broadleaf tree from both ecological economic perspectives. Seeds of this species are recalcitrant, i.e., sensitive to desiccation, which affects their storage long-term preservation germplasm. However, little known about the underlying molecular mechanism desiccation sensitivity Q. seeds. In study, seeds were desiccated with silica gel for certain days as different treatments 0 (Control) 15 (T15) gradient 1 day. According seed germination percentage, four key stages (Control, T2, T4, T11) found. Then transcriptomic profiles these compared. A total 4,405, 4,441, 5,907 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified in T2 vs. Control, T4 T11 respectively. Among them, 2,219 DEGs overlapped three comparison groups. Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that enriched into 124 pathways, such “Plant hormone signal transduction” “Glycerophospholipid metabolism”. related biosynthesis transduction ZEP, YUC, PYR, ABI5, ERF1B , etc.), stress response proteins LEA D-29, HSP70 phospholipase D PLD1 detected during desiccation. These interactions may determine addition, group specific also Control PP2C62, UNE12 WRKY1-like, WAK10 IBH1, bZIP44 Finally, possible work model was proposed show regulation This first report on using RNA-Seq. The findings could make great contribution conservation recalcitrant future.