Keeping the shoot above water – submergence triggers antithetical growth responses in stems and petioles of watercress (Nasturtium officinale)

TY - JOUR

T1 - Keeping the shoot above water – submergence triggers antithetical growth responses in stems and petioles of watercress (Nasturtium officinale)

AU - Müller, Jana T.

AU - van Veen, Hans

AU - Bartylla, Malte M.

AU - Akman, Melis

AU - Pedersen, Ole

AU - Sun, Pulu

AU - Schuurink, Robert C.

AU - Takeuchi, Jun

AU - Todoroki, Yasushi

AU - Weig, Alfons R.

AU - Sasidharan, Rashmi

AU - Mustroph, Angelika

PY - 2021/1

Y1 - 2021/1

N2 - The molecular mechanisms controlling underwater elongation are based extensively on studies on internode elongation in the monocot rice (Oryza sativa) and petiole elongation in Rumex rosette species. Here, we characterize underwater growth in the dicot Nasturtium officinale (watercress), a wild species of the Brassicaceae family, in which submergence enhances stem elongation and suppresses petiole growth. We used a genome-wide transcriptome analysis to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed antithetical growth responses. Though submergence caused a substantial reconfiguration of the petiole and stem transcriptome, only little qualitative differences were observed between both tissues. A core submergence response included hormonal regulation and metabolic readjustment for energy conservation, whereas tissue-specific responses were associated with defense, photosynthesis, and cell wall polysaccharides. Transcriptomic and physiological characterization suggested that the established ethylene, abscisic acid (ABA), and GA growth regulatory module for underwater elongation could not fully explain underwater growth in watercress. Petiole growth suppression is likely attributed to a cell cycle arrest. Underwater stem elongation is driven by an early decline in ABA and is not primarily mediated by ethylene or GA. An enhanced stem elongation observed in the night period was not linked to hypoxia and suggests an involvement of circadian regulation.

AB - The molecular mechanisms controlling underwater elongation are based extensively on studies on internode elongation in the monocot rice (Oryza sativa) and petiole elongation in Rumex rosette species. Here, we characterize underwater growth in the dicot Nasturtium officinale (watercress), a wild species of the Brassicaceae family, in which submergence enhances stem elongation and suppresses petiole growth. We used a genome-wide transcriptome analysis to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed antithetical growth responses. Though submergence caused a substantial reconfiguration of the petiole and stem transcriptome, only little qualitative differences were observed between both tissues. A core submergence response included hormonal regulation and metabolic readjustment for energy conservation, whereas tissue-specific responses were associated with defense, photosynthesis, and cell wall polysaccharides. Transcriptomic and physiological characterization suggested that the established ethylene, abscisic acid (ABA), and GA growth regulatory module for underwater elongation could not fully explain underwater growth in watercress. Petiole growth suppression is likely attributed to a cell cycle arrest. Underwater stem elongation is driven by an early decline in ABA and is not primarily mediated by ethylene or GA. An enhanced stem elongation observed in the night period was not linked to hypoxia and suggests an involvement of circadian regulation.

U2 - 10.1111/nph.16350

DO - 10.1111/nph.16350

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 31792981

SN - 0028-646X

JO - New Phytologist

JF - New Phytologist

ER -