WGCNA analysis reveals hub genes in the Hemarthria compressa roots in response to waterlogging stress

Abstract Hemarthria compressa is a high-quality forage resource in China. In recent years, waterlogging has frequently occurred, adversely affecting the growth and development of H. compressa. In order to investigate the physiological and molecular response mechanisms of H. compressa under waterlogg...

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Main Authors: Wenwen Li, Xiaoli Zhou, Minghao Qu, Yuqian Zheng, Bingna Shen, Bing Zeng, Yanlong Feng, Kaiyue Pang, Jiahai Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94873-7
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author Wenwen Li
Xiaoli Zhou
Minghao Qu
Yuqian Zheng
Bingna Shen
Bing Zeng
Yanlong Feng
Kaiyue Pang
Jiahai Wu
Bing Zeng
author_facet Wenwen Li
Xiaoli Zhou
Minghao Qu
Yuqian Zheng
Bingna Shen
Bing Zeng
Yanlong Feng
Kaiyue Pang
Jiahai Wu
Bing Zeng
author_sort Wenwen Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Hemarthria compressa is a high-quality forage resource in China. In recent years, waterlogging has frequently occurred, adversely affecting the growth and development of H. compressa. In order to investigate the physiological and molecular response mechanisms of H. compressa under waterlogging stress and identify hub genes involved in waterlogging tolerance, H. compressa roots from the GY (waterlogging-tolerant) and N1291 (waterlogging-sensitive) cultivars were selected as experimental materials in this study. The physiological indexes of H. compressa were measured, and transcriptome sequencing was carried out after 8 h and 24 h of waterlogging stress, with 0 h used as the control group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were significantly increased in both GY and N1291 under waterlogging stress (P < 0.05). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified a total of four modules significantly associated with waterlogging stress (r>|0.9|, P < 0.05). Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment results showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly enriched in the Starch and sucrose metabolism, Plant hormone signal transduction, Ribosome and Glutathione metabolism pathways. Seven hub genes were also retrieved, including Cluster-38255.67514 and Cluster-38255.80127, potentially associated with waterlogging tolerance. It is related to the Ribosome pathway and participates in the process of anti-waterlogging regulation. The results of this experiment provide new insights into the response mechanisms of H. compressa to waterlogging stress and a theoretical framework for the effective selection and breeding of waterlogging-tolerant cultivars.
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issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
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spelling doaj-art-63a823fa485a4e33a146d2825549ba6e2025-08-20T03:13:55ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-94873-7WGCNA analysis reveals hub genes in the Hemarthria compressa roots in response to waterlogging stressWenwen Li0Xiaoli Zhou1Minghao Qu2Yuqian Zheng3Bingna Shen4Bing Zeng5Yanlong Feng6Kaiyue Pang7Jiahai Wu8Bing Zeng9College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest Un IversityCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest Un IversityInstitute of Grass-Fed Livestock, Chongqing Academy of Animal SciencesCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest Un IversityCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest Un IversityCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest Un IversityCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest Un IversityCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest Un IversityInstitute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural SciencesCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest Un IversityAbstract Hemarthria compressa is a high-quality forage resource in China. In recent years, waterlogging has frequently occurred, adversely affecting the growth and development of H. compressa. In order to investigate the physiological and molecular response mechanisms of H. compressa under waterlogging stress and identify hub genes involved in waterlogging tolerance, H. compressa roots from the GY (waterlogging-tolerant) and N1291 (waterlogging-sensitive) cultivars were selected as experimental materials in this study. The physiological indexes of H. compressa were measured, and transcriptome sequencing was carried out after 8 h and 24 h of waterlogging stress, with 0 h used as the control group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were significantly increased in both GY and N1291 under waterlogging stress (P < 0.05). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified a total of four modules significantly associated with waterlogging stress (r>|0.9|, P < 0.05). Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment results showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly enriched in the Starch and sucrose metabolism, Plant hormone signal transduction, Ribosome and Glutathione metabolism pathways. Seven hub genes were also retrieved, including Cluster-38255.67514 and Cluster-38255.80127, potentially associated with waterlogging tolerance. It is related to the Ribosome pathway and participates in the process of anti-waterlogging regulation. The results of this experiment provide new insights into the response mechanisms of H. compressa to waterlogging stress and a theoretical framework for the effective selection and breeding of waterlogging-tolerant cultivars.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94873-7Hemarthria compressaWaterlogging stressTranscriptomeOxidative stressStarch and sucrose metabolismRoot
spellingShingle Wenwen Li
Xiaoli Zhou
Minghao Qu
Yuqian Zheng
Bingna Shen
Bing Zeng
Yanlong Feng
Kaiyue Pang
Jiahai Wu
Bing Zeng
WGCNA analysis reveals hub genes in the Hemarthria compressa roots in response to waterlogging stress
Scientific Reports
Hemarthria compressa
Waterlogging stress
Transcriptome
Oxidative stress
Starch and sucrose metabolism
Root
title WGCNA analysis reveals hub genes in the Hemarthria compressa roots in response to waterlogging stress
title_full WGCNA analysis reveals hub genes in the Hemarthria compressa roots in response to waterlogging stress
title_fullStr WGCNA analysis reveals hub genes in the Hemarthria compressa roots in response to waterlogging stress
title_full_unstemmed WGCNA analysis reveals hub genes in the Hemarthria compressa roots in response to waterlogging stress
title_short WGCNA analysis reveals hub genes in the Hemarthria compressa roots in response to waterlogging stress
title_sort wgcna analysis reveals hub genes in the hemarthria compressa roots in response to waterlogging stress
topic Hemarthria compressa
Waterlogging stress
Transcriptome
Oxidative stress
Starch and sucrose metabolism
Root
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94873-7
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