Profiling the lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA interaction network in the cold-resistant exercise period of grape (Vitis amurensis Rupr.)

Background

Grape is a plant that is sensitive to low temperature and vulnerable to low-temperature damage. However, little is known about the roles of lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs in regulating the hypothermia response mechanism in Vitis amurensis Rupr.

Methods

In this study, the expression and regulatory network of low-temperature response genes were studied in the phloem of grape under different low-temperature stress.

Results

Here, we performed analyses related to RNA-seq and miRNA-seq on grape phloem tissues from five periods of cold resistance campaigns. Three RNAs (lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs) obtained by KEGG and GO analyses were used to identify starch and sucrose metabolism associated with cold resistance, and specific changes in BP, CC, and MF were identified in four comparisons. Venn diagrams, thermograms and pathway maps were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and their specific gene expression during the cold exercise were obtained. The six DEGs finally selected were used for qRT-PCR to verify the RNA-seq data. In addition, we found that the regulatory networks of miRNAs and lncRNAs correspond to the six DEGs. This study will contribute to further experimental studies to elucidate the cold resistance mechanism of Vitis amurensis Rupr.

Conclusions

The low-temperature response genes of grape are mainly enriched in the starch and sucrose metabolism, and they are regulated by miRNAs and lncRNAs. The conclusions will provide basic information for further understanding of the cold resistance mechanism of grape in the future.

Graphical Abstract