title: Analysis of the expression of putative heat-stress related genes in relation to thermotolerance of cork oak.
abstract: Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is a research priority in the Mediterranean area and because of cork oaks' distribution these stands are experiencing daily stress. Based on projections of intensifying climate change and considering the key role of exploring the recovery abilities, cork oak seedlings were subjected to a cumulative temperature increase from 25°C to 55°C and subsequent recovery. CO2 assimilation rate, chlorophyll fluorescence, anthocyanins, proline and lipid peroxidation were used to evaluate plant performance, while the relative abundance of seven genes encoding for proteins of cork oak with a putative role in thermal/stress regulation (POX1, POX2, HSP10.4, HSP17a.22, CHS, MTL and RBC) was analyzed by qPCR (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction). A temperature change to 35°C showed abundance alterations in the tested genes; at 45°C, the molecular changes were associated with an antioxidant response, possibly modulated by anthocyanins. At 55°C, HSP17a.22, MTL and proline accumulation were evident. After recovery, physiological balance was restored, whereas POX1, HSP10.4 and MTL abundances were suggested to be involved in increased thermotolerance. The data presented here are expected to pinpoint some pathways changes occurring during such stress and further recovery in this particular Mediterranean species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology & CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.affiliation: EPIPHYSAGE Research Group, Plant Physiology, B.O.S. Department, University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Global Change Research Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 603 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valledor
authors.affiliation: Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo (CEBAL) - Instituto Politécnico de Beja (IPBeja), Rua Pedro Soares, 7801-908 Beja, Portugal; Centre for Research in Ceramics & Composite Materials (CICECO), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Tânia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology & CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Conceição
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: EPIPHYSAGE Research Group, Plant Physiology, B.O.S. Department, University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria Jesús
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cañal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology & CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. Electronic address: gpinto@ua.pt.
authors.forename: Glória
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pinto
mesh_terms: D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D006358:Hot Temperature; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D010788:Photosynthesis; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011392:Proline / Q000378:metabolism; D029963:Quercus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D000975:Antioxidants; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D010940:Plant Proteins; D018749:RNA, Plant; D002734:Chlorophyll; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D011392:Proline
keywords: High temperature; Plant performance; Quercus suber; Recovery