Researchers Uncover Molecular Mechanisms of Cold Tolerance in Syntrichia caninervis

Syntrichia caninervis, a multi-stress tolerant desert moss, is a promising pioneer for Mars colonization and terraforming. It has remarkable desiccation tolerance, extraordinary freezing tolerance, and strong resistance to gamma radiation and can survive under simulated Mars conditions. Mechanisms for desiccation tolerance of the desert moss have been well studied. However, the research on its molecular mechanisms of cold tolerance remains limited.

In a study published in Journal of Plant, Cell & Environment, a research team led by Prof. ZHANG Daoyuan from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the low-temperature response in Syntrichia caninervis. 

To observe the molecular responses of Syntrichia caninervis to cold stress, the researchers conducted RNA sequencing on fully hydrated samples treated at 4°C and −4°C for durations of 0, 1, 8, and 24 hours.

Through transcriptome analysis, researchers found that sugar and energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and antioxidation were important mechanisms in response to cold stress. Surprisingly, most photosynthesis-related transcripts were up-regulated under cold treatments.

Transcription factor analysis indicated that A-5 DREB genes play crucial roles in the response to freezing stress, with ScDREBA5 being up-regulated by approximately 1000-fold. The overexpression of ScDREBA5 significantly improved freezing tolerance in Syntrichia caninervis.

This study advances the understanding of cold tolerance mechanisms of Syntrichia caninervis, and provides an important reference for cold-tolerant crop breeding. 

Article link: https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.15336 

Recovery time of Syntrichia caninervis under different low-temperature treatments (Image by XIEG)

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

E-mail: longhp@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Web: http://english.egi.cas.cn