Scholarlink

Aims <p>The study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of freezing tolerance in <i>Kobresia littledalei</i>, a dominant species in the alpine meadows of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau known for its exceptional freezing tolerance, by investigating its physiological and molecular responses to a gradient cooling regime.</p> Methods <p>We integrated physiological and transcriptomic analyses to systematically examine the response dynamics of <i>K. littledalei</i> under a cooling gradient from 16&#xa0;°C to −4&#xa0;°C. Physiological assessments included measuring antioxidant enzyme activity and osmoprotectant levels, while transcriptomic analysis involved identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs), conducting weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), protein–protein interaction analysis, and qRT-PCR validation. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed to assess the conservation of key genes.</p> Results <p>Progressive cooling triggered significant physiological adjustments in <i>K. littledalei</i>, including a marked increase in antioxidant enzyme activity and a dramatic accumulation of osmoprotectants. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 857 DEGs uniquely associated with 0&#xa0;°C treatment and 914 DEGs uniquely associated with −4&#xa0;°C treatment. Through WGCNA, protein–protein interaction, and qRT-PCR analyses, γ-glutamylcyclotransferase (GGCT) was identified as a candidate core hub gene associated with freezing tolerance. Phylogenetic analysis further showed that GGCT is highly conserved among related monocot lineages, including Cyperaceae species.</p> Conclusions <p>These findings suggest that GGCT may serve as a candidate hub linking upstream transcriptional regulation with downstream metabolic responses to coordinate freezing tolerance in <i>K. littledalei</i>. This study provides novel insights into the molecular basis of cold resilience in alpine plants.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

γ-glutamylcyclotransferase is a core gene coordinating freezing tolerance in the alpine meadow species Kobresia littledalei

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月15日

查看全文
  • Han Zhu,
  • Zhichao Ma,
  • Yutao Tong,
  • Xinya Pan,
  • Yi Zhou,
  • Peizhi Yang,
  • Yuman Cao,
  • Jie An

摘要

Aims

The study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of freezing tolerance in Kobresia littledalei, a dominant species in the alpine meadows of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau known for its exceptional freezing tolerance, by investigating its physiological and molecular responses to a gradient cooling regime.

Methods

We integrated physiological and transcriptomic analyses to systematically examine the response dynamics of K. littledalei under a cooling gradient from 16 °C to −4 °C. Physiological assessments included measuring antioxidant enzyme activity and osmoprotectant levels, while transcriptomic analysis involved identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs), conducting weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), protein–protein interaction analysis, and qRT-PCR validation. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed to assess the conservation of key genes.

Results

Progressive cooling triggered significant physiological adjustments in K. littledalei, including a marked increase in antioxidant enzyme activity and a dramatic accumulation of osmoprotectants. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 857 DEGs uniquely associated with 0 °C treatment and 914 DEGs uniquely associated with −4 °C treatment. Through WGCNA, protein–protein interaction, and qRT-PCR analyses, γ-glutamylcyclotransferase (GGCT) was identified as a candidate core hub gene associated with freezing tolerance. Phylogenetic analysis further showed that GGCT is highly conserved among related monocot lineages, including Cyperaceae species.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that GGCT may serve as a candidate hub linking upstream transcriptional regulation with downstream metabolic responses to coordinate freezing tolerance in K. littledalei. This study provides novel insights into the molecular basis of cold resilience in alpine plants.