Multi-omics reveals organ-specific temporal response dynamics of Metasequoia glyptostroboides under complete submergence
Global climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of flooding, a severe threat to terrestrial plants. Complete submergence, in which the whole plant including the shoot is inundated, is more damaging than waterlogging, yet its organ-specific molecular responses particularly in relict gymnosperms remain poorly understood. Here, using M. glyptostroboides seedlings under control and complete-submergence treatments, we collected roots and leaves at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days and performed time-series transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses together with hormone and physiological measurements, aiming to address: (1) whether roots and leaves show organ-specific temporal asynchrony in their responses to complete submergence; (2) whether systemic coordination mediated by hormones and metabolites exists between roots and leaves; and (3) which core transcriptional regulatory hubs drive these responses.