Estudo do metabolismo de lipídios de membrana e da expressão dos genes relacionados em cultivares de Vigna unguiculata (L.) walp sob estresses abióticos combinados (seca/ozônio)

Abstract

Global climate changes are responsible for the increased frequency of episodes of drought and high concentrations of tropospheric ozone, which can occur simultaneously reducing plant growth, limiting agricultural production and affecting the food supply for an increasing world population. These environmental stresses can lead to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species, promoting oxidative stress and causing metabolic imbalance. Cell membranes are the primary targets of damage induced by stresses and the preservation of cell integrity through remodeling of membrane lipids is essential for plant survival under adverse conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of drought, ozone and the combined stresses in two cowpea cultivars with different degrees of drought tolerance: EPACE-1 (tolerant) and IT83-D (susceptible) through physiological responses and a study focused on the content and composition of membrane lipids, as well as on the expression of genes related to the biosynthesis and degradation of these lipids. Drought and ozone (120 ppb), isolated or in combination, were applied on three-week-old seedlings during two weeks. After 7 and 14 days of treatments, physiological parameters were determined. Lipids extracted from leaves were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Transcript accumulation (VuMGD1, VuMGD2, VuDGD1, VuDGD2, VuCLS, VuFAD7, VuFAD8, VuPLD1 and VuPAT1) was detected in leaves by real time PCR. In both cultivars, drought inhibited the plant growth and photosynthesis through stomatal closure, which appeared to involve the gene expression of phospholipase D (VuPLD1). Ozone caused foliar injury and degradation of galactolipids, mainly in IT83-D. In this cultivar, the damage resulted in an increase in DGDG:MGDG ratio and in VuDGD2 expression. Furthermore, a partial decrease in the phospholipids content in response to ozone was associated with an increase in VuPLD1 expression, suggesting a replacement of phospholipids by DGDG. Differently, EPACE-1 cultivar in the presence of ozone, concomitantly with the degradation of galactolipids, showed an increase in storage lipids and DPG (cardiolipin) contents. The two stresses in combination led to results similar to those observed in response to the drought treatment alone, in both cultivars, which likely reflected the severe restriction of ozone uptake resulting from drought-induced stomatal closure. In conclusion, the present results highlight the prominent role of membrane lipids in the metabolic adjustments that occur for the plant tolerance to drought and ozone.