Rubisco activase A (RcaA) is a central node in overlapping gene network of drought and salinity in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and may contribute to combined stress tolerance

Co-occurrence of abiotic stresses, especially drought and salinity, is a natural phenomenon in field conditions worse for crop production than any single stress. Nowadays, rigorous methods meta-analysis systems biology have made it possible to perform cross-study comparisons stress experiments, which can uncover main overlapping mechanisms underlying tolerance combined In this study, RNA-Seq data was conducted obtain the gene network salinity stresses barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), identified Rubisco activase A (RcaA) as hub dual-stress response. Thereafter, greenhouse experiment carried out using two genotypes with different evaluated several physiochemical properties well expression profile protein activity RcaA. Finally, machine learning analysis applied relationships among properties. We 441 genes were differentially expressed under both Results revealed that photosynthesis pathway and, particular, RcaA are major components responsive transcriptome. Comparative molecular evaluations further confirmed enhanced capability, mainly through regulation accumulation proline content, significant association barley. Overall, our results clarify importance may provide new insights future investigations.