Integrative transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveals the mechanism of exogenous melatonin alleviating drought stress in maize roots

• Published in: Plant physiology and biochemistry 2023-06, Vol.199, p.107723-107723, Article 107723
• Main Authors: Wang, Yifan, Wang, Jiarui, Guo, Haoxue, Wu, Xi, Hao, Miaoyi, Zhang, Renhe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Drought stress; Droughts; Flavonoids - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Maize root; Melatonin; Melatonin - metabolism; Melatonin - pharmacology; Metabolome; Stress, Physiological - genetics; Tolerance mechanism; Transcriptome; Zea mays - metabolism
• ISSN: 0981-9428; 1873-2690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107723

Melatonin (MT) is essential for plant development and drought adaptation. However, the molecular and metabolic mechanisms underlying MT-induced drought tolerance in maize roots remain largely unclear. Herein, we investigated the effects of MT on drought tolerance in maize roots using integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, and identified MT-induced genes and metabolites associated with drought resistance. Compared with the untreated control plants, MT application alleviated the deleterious effects of drought on roots, by decreasing the malondialdehyde level and increasing the solute potential, eventually promoting root growth. Transcriptome and metabolome analysis demonstrated that MT significantly upregulates the expression of genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis (PAL, C4H, 4CL, HCT, CHS, CHI, F3′5′H, and DFR), activates drought-responsive transcription factors (ERFs, NACs, MYBs, and bHLHs), and regulates hormone signaling-related genes, especially ethylene response factors (ERF4, ERF81, and ERF110). Moreover, MT increased the accumulation of flavonoid metabolites, particularly apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin, under drought-stress conditions. These findings were further supported by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and total flavonoid measurements. Altogether, our findings suggest that MT promotes maize root growth during drought by regulating flavonoid synthesis pathways, transcription factors, and plant hormone signals. This study provides new insights into the complex mechanisms by which MT enhances crop resistance to drought damage. •MT application enhanced the tolerance of maize roots to drought.•MT modulated the expression of genes related to flavonoid synthesis, transcription factors, and hormone signals.•MT increased the accumulation of apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin metabolites.•The co-regulation of these genes and metabolites may contribute to root drought tolerance.