title: Dynamic transcriptional profiling provides insights into tuberous root development in Rehmannia glutinosa.
abstract: Rehmannia glutinosa, an herb of the Scrophulariaceae family, is widely cultivated in the Northern part of China. The tuberous root has well-known medicinal properties; however, yield and quality are threatened by abiotic and biotic stresses. Understanding the molecular process of tuberous root development may help identify novel targets for its control. In the present study, we used Illumina sequencing and de novo assembly strategies to obtain a reference transcriptome that is relevant to tuberous root development. We then conducted RNA-seq quantification analysis to determine gene expression profiles of the adventitious root (AR), thickening adventitious root (TAR), and the developing tuberous root (DTR). Expression profiling identified a total of 6794 differentially expressed unigenes during root development. Bioinformatics analysis and gene expression profiling revealed changes in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and plant hormone biosynthesis during root development. Moreover, we identified and allocated putative functions to the genes involved in tuberous root development, including genes related to major carbohydrate metabolism, hormone metabolism, and transcription regulation. The present study provides the initial description of gene expression profiles of AR, TAR, and DTR, which facilitates identification of genes of interest. Moreover, our work provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying tuberous root development and may assist in the design and development of improved breeding schemes for different R. glutinosa varieties through genetic manipulation.
authors.affiliation: Center for Medicinal Plant Cultivation, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xingguo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Liusheng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.affiliation: Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yuhai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Center for Medicinal Plant Cultivation, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Jianjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: Center for Medicinal Plant Cultivation, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Dengqun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Center for Medicinal Plant Cultivation, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Chunli
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Center for Medicinal Plant Cultivation, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Center for Medicinal Plant Cultivation, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Center for Medicinal Plant Cultivation, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xianen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
keywords: RNA-seq; Rehmannia glutinosa; development; transcriptome; tuberous root