A long non-coding RNA lncRNA18313 regulates resistance against cadmium stress in wheat

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to play key roles in plant response and adaptation to heavy metal stresses. However, the exact biological functions and potential regulatory mechanism, especially in wheat’s response to cadmium (Cd) stress, are still poorly understood. We have pr...

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Main Authors: Sujing Zhao, Hongxia Bai, Ziyi Fan, Mo Zhu, Zongbo Qiu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1583758/full
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author Sujing Zhao
Hongxia Bai
Ziyi Fan
Mo Zhu
Zongbo Qiu
Zongbo Qiu
author_facet Sujing Zhao
Hongxia Bai
Ziyi Fan
Mo Zhu
Zongbo Qiu
Zongbo Qiu
author_sort Sujing Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to play key roles in plant response and adaptation to heavy metal stresses. However, the exact biological functions and potential regulatory mechanism, especially in wheat’s response to cadmium (Cd) stress, are still poorly understood. We have previously discovered a Cd stress-related lncRNA in wheat, namely TalncRNA18313. In this study, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that TalncRNA18313 was expressed extensively in wheat leaves, and its accumulation was highly induced by Cd stress. To further fully explore the function of lncRNA18313 in response to Cd stress, lncRNA18313 was cloned from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and was transformed into Arabidopsis. When TalncRNA18313 was heterologous expressed in Arabidopsis, the transgenic plants exhibited enhanced Cd tolerance characterized by lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and higher activities of key antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD). Subsequently, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis demonstrated that 370 genes were differentially expressed in lncRNA18313 overexpressing transgenic lines under Cd stress comparing to wild type plants. Among the genes regulated by lncRNA18313, the most significantly enriched were those involved in transcriptional regulation and antioxidative defense responses. These results suggest that TalncRNA18313 plays a crucial role in improving Cd tolerance in wheat by modulating key stress-related pathways, particularly those critical for coping with oxidative damage and regulating gene expression under Cd stress. This discovery contributes to the expanding understanding of knowledge about the involvement of lncRNAs in plant stress responses and offers promising potential for improving crop resilience to environmental stresses.
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spelling doaj-art-b663c052c02e4f12a39548ba912692cf2025-08-20T03:20:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-06-011610.3389/fpls.2025.15837581583758A long non-coding RNA lncRNA18313 regulates resistance against cadmium stress in wheatSujing Zhao0Hongxia Bai1Ziyi Fan2Mo Zhu3Zongbo Qiu4Zongbo Qiu5College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, ChinaCollege of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, ChinaCollege of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, ChinaCollege of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, ChinaCollege of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, ChinaThe Observation and Research Field Station of Taihang Mountain Forest Ecosystems of Henan Province, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, ChinaLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to play key roles in plant response and adaptation to heavy metal stresses. However, the exact biological functions and potential regulatory mechanism, especially in wheat’s response to cadmium (Cd) stress, are still poorly understood. We have previously discovered a Cd stress-related lncRNA in wheat, namely TalncRNA18313. In this study, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that TalncRNA18313 was expressed extensively in wheat leaves, and its accumulation was highly induced by Cd stress. To further fully explore the function of lncRNA18313 in response to Cd stress, lncRNA18313 was cloned from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and was transformed into Arabidopsis. When TalncRNA18313 was heterologous expressed in Arabidopsis, the transgenic plants exhibited enhanced Cd tolerance characterized by lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and higher activities of key antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD). Subsequently, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis demonstrated that 370 genes were differentially expressed in lncRNA18313 overexpressing transgenic lines under Cd stress comparing to wild type plants. Among the genes regulated by lncRNA18313, the most significantly enriched were those involved in transcriptional regulation and antioxidative defense responses. These results suggest that TalncRNA18313 plays a crucial role in improving Cd tolerance in wheat by modulating key stress-related pathways, particularly those critical for coping with oxidative damage and regulating gene expression under Cd stress. This discovery contributes to the expanding understanding of knowledge about the involvement of lncRNAs in plant stress responses and offers promising potential for improving crop resilience to environmental stresses.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1583758/fulllong non-coding RNAwheatCd stressRNA-Seqheavy metal
spellingShingle Sujing Zhao
Hongxia Bai
Ziyi Fan
Mo Zhu
Zongbo Qiu
Zongbo Qiu
A long non-coding RNA lncRNA18313 regulates resistance against cadmium stress in wheat
Frontiers in Plant Science
long non-coding RNA
wheat
Cd stress
RNA-Seq
heavy metal
title A long non-coding RNA lncRNA18313 regulates resistance against cadmium stress in wheat
title_full A long non-coding RNA lncRNA18313 regulates resistance against cadmium stress in wheat
title_fullStr A long non-coding RNA lncRNA18313 regulates resistance against cadmium stress in wheat
title_full_unstemmed A long non-coding RNA lncRNA18313 regulates resistance against cadmium stress in wheat
title_short A long non-coding RNA lncRNA18313 regulates resistance against cadmium stress in wheat
title_sort long non coding rna lncrna18313 regulates resistance against cadmium stress in wheat
topic long non-coding RNA
wheat
Cd stress
RNA-Seq
heavy metal
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1583758/full
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