Expression profiling and local adaptation of Boechera holboellii populations for water use efficiency across a naturally occurring water stress gradient

摘要: We studied the physiological basis of local adaptation to drought in Boechera holboellii, a perennial relative Arabidopsis thaliana, and used cDNA-AFLPs identify candidate genes showing differential expression these populations. compared two populations B. holboellii from contrasting water environments reciprocal transplant experiment, as well laboratory dry-down experiment. continuously measured content soils using time domain reflectometery (TDR). for their use efficiency (WUE), root/shoot ratios (R:S) leaf mass per unit area (LMA) field laboratory, identified that (i) responded plastically stress (ii) were differentially expressed between Genotypes drier site had higher WUE, which was attributable large reduction transpirational loss. The xeric-adapted population also increased investment root biomass greater area. Reciprocal transplants significantly survival native habitat. In total, 450 cDNA-AFLP fragments showed significant changes control treatments. Furthermore, some genotype (population)-specific patterns up- or down-regulation response drought. Three hundred bands sequenced leading identification cDNAs coding proteins involved signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, redox oxidative pathways adaptation. Some could contribute advantage under drought, making them potential targets natural selection.