Transcriptomic analysis of the effect of hormone ethylene in sugarcane ripening

• Grant number: 12/13920-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Menossi Teixeira
• Grantee: Camila Pinto da Cunha
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The ability to accumulate higher levels of sucrose in the stem is unique to sugarcane, an economically important crop and worldwide reference for the bioenergy sector. The process of sucrose accumulation in sugarcane at the molecular level has been extensively studied through the provision of EST database from SUCEST. However, the control of this process is still unclear, especially in relation to phytohormones. Among them stands out ethylene, a gaseous plant hormone, which participates in various stages of development, including germination, maturity, senescence, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Although, the application of exogenous ethylene is common practice in fields to accelerate maturation or inhibit flowering, the mechanism of action of this phytohormone on the molecular level during maturation and its role in sucrose accumulation are still unknown. In this context, this study aims to elucidate the mechanism of action of ethylene during ripening in sugarcane using a transcriptomic approach (RNA-Seq). The differential gene expression patterns will be evaluated after the application of ripener (ethephon, induces ethylene biosynthesis) and an inhibitor of maturation (AVG, ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor) at the beginning and end of the maturation phase of two varieties, contrasting for phenological cycle (super-early and mid-late). The correlation of the data obtained with the emission standard for ethylene and sucrose accumulation along the maturation phase will allow a better understanding of the physiological mechanism involved in sucrose accumulation, contributing to future breeding programs and biotechnology of sugarcane.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CUNHA, CAMILA P.; ROBERTO, GUILHERME G.; VICENTINI, RENATO; LEMBKE, CAROLINA G.; SOUZA, GLAUCIA M.; RIBEIRO, RAFAEL V.; MACHADO, EDUARDO C.; LAGOA, ANA M. M. A.; MENOSSI, MARCELO. Ethylene-induced transcriptional and hormonal responses at the onset of sugarcane ripening. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 7, MAR 7 2017. Web of Science Citations: 13.

ROBERTO, GUILHERME GARCIA; CUNHA, CAMILA; GABRIEL SALES, CRISTINA RODRIGUES; SILVEIRA, NEIDIQUELE MARIA; RIBEIRO, RAFAEL VASCONCELOS; MACHADO, EDUARDO CARUSO; MAGALHAES ANDRADE LAGOA, ANA MARIA. Variation of photosynthesis and carbohydrate levels induced by ethephon and water deficit on the ripening stage of sugarcane. Bragantia, v. 74, n. 4, p. 379-386, OCT-DEC 2015. Web of Science Citations: 5.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CUNHA, Camila Pinto da. Análise transcriptômica e fisiológica da resposta da cana-de-açúcar ao hormônio etileno durante a maturação. 2017. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia.