Transcriptome analysis suggested that lncRNAs regulate rapeseed seedlings in responding to drought stress by coordinating the phytohormone signal transduction pathways.

The growth, yield, and seed quality of rapeseed are negatively affected by drought stress. Therefore, it is of great value to understand the molecular mechanism behind this phenomenon. In a previous study, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were found to play a key role in the response of rapeseed seedlings to drought stress. However, many questions remained unanswered. This study was the first to investigate the expression profile of lncRNAs not only under control and drought treatment, but also under the rehydration treatment. A total of 381 differentially expressed lncRNA and 10,253 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified in the comparison between drought stress and control condition. In the transition from drought stress to rehydration, 477 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 12,543 differentially expressed mRNAs were detected. After identifying the differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs, the comprehensive lncRNAs-engaged network with the co-expressed mRNAs in leaves under control, drought and rehydration was investigated. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of co-expressed mRNAs identified the most significant pathways related with plant hormones (expecially abscisic acid, auxin, cytokinins, and gibberellins) in the signal transduction. The genes, co-expressed with the most-enriched DE-lncRNAs, were considered as the most effective candidates in the water-loss and water-recovery processes, including protein phosphatase 2 C (PP2C), ABRE-binding factors (ABFs), and SMALL AUXIN UP-REGULATED RNAs (SAURs). In summary, these analyses clearly demonstrated that DE-lncRNAs can act as a regulatory hub in plant-water interaction by controlling phytohormone signaling pathways and provided an alternative way to explore the complex mechanisms of drought tolerance in rapeseed.

Tan X ，Long W ，Ma N ，Sang S ，Cai S ... -  《BMC GENOMICS》

Genome-wide analysis of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in two contrasting rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) genotypes subjected to drought stress and re-watering.

Tan X ，Li S ，Hu L ，Zhang C ... -  《BMC PLANT BIOLOGY》

Comparative Analysis of the Brassica napus Root and Leaf Transcript Profiling in Response to Drought Stress.

Liu C ，Zhang X ，Zhang K ，An H ，Hu K ，Wen J ，Shen J ，Ma C ，Yi B ，Tu J ，Fu T ... -  《INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES》

Genome-Wide Identification of Long Non-coding RNA in Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf) Leaves in Response to Boron Deficiency.

Zhou GF ，Zhang LP ，Li BX ，Sheng O ，Wei QJ ，Yao FX ，Guan G ，Liu GD ... -  《INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES》

Physiological and Transcriptional Responses of Industrial Rapeseed (Brassica napus) Seedlings to Drought and Salinity Stress.

Wang J ，Jiao J ，Zhou M ，Jin Z ，Yu Y ，Liang M ... -  《INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES》