Ye Hao, Xie Xinyu, Fu Qiongfang, Zheng Sheng, Liu Xunyan, Zhu Shan
College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.
College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 May 28;26(11):5175. doi: 10.3390/ijms26115175.
Foxtail millet ( L.), a representative C4 species, is recognized for its efficient nutrient utilization and robust abiotic stress responses. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating its tolerance to biotic stresses are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the root transcriptomic response of foxtail millet to the damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), the plant elicitor peptide 1 (Pep1). Transcriptome analysis of Pep1-treated roots identified 401 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), comprising 144 up-regulated and 257 down-regulated genes. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed a significant enrichment of 'peroxidase activity'. This finding was corroborated by DAB staining, which confirmed HO accumulation, along with elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, collectively indicating oxidative stress. Notably, Pep1 treatment also resulted in a marked up-regulation of the pathogenesis-related protein 1 () gene in leaves, suggesting the activation of systemic acquired resistance. Together, these results demonstrate that Pep1 triggers substantial transcriptional reprogramming in roots, induces oxidative stress, and activates systemic defense signaling in foxtail millet.
谷子（Setaria italica (L.)）是一种典型的C4植物，以其高效的养分利用和强大的非生物胁迫响应能力而闻名。然而，介导其对生物胁迫耐受性的分子机制尚不清楚。在本研究中，我们研究了谷子根系对损伤相关分子模式（DAMP）——植物激发子肽1（Pep1）的转录组反应。对经Pep1处理的根系进行转录组分析，鉴定出401个差异表达基因（DEG），其中包括144个上调基因和257个下调基因。基因本体（GO）富集分析显示“过氧化物酶活性”显著富集。DAB染色证实了这一发现，其证实了H2O2的积累以及丙二醛（MDA）水平的升高，共同表明存在氧化应激。值得注意的是，Pep1处理还导致叶片中病程相关蛋白1（PR1）基因显著上调，表明系统获得性抗性被激活。总之，这些结果表明，Pep1在谷子根系中引发了大量的转录重编程，诱导了氧化应激，并激活了系统防御信号。
