Comparative transcriptomics analysis reveals differential Cd response processes in roots of two turnip landraces with different Cd accumulation capacities.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of cadmium (Cd) tolerance and accumulation in plants is important to address Cd pollution. In the present study, we performed comparative transcriptome analysis to identify the Cd response processes in the roots of two turnip landraces, KTRG-B14 (high-Cd accumulation) and KTRG-B36 (low-Cd accumulation). Two common enhanced processes, glutathione metabolism and antioxidant system, were identified in both landraces. However, some differential antioxidant processes are likely employed by two landraces, namely, several genes encoding peptide methionine sulfoxide reductases and thioredoxins were up-regulated in B14, whereas flavonoid synthesis was potentially induced to fight against oxidative stress in B36. In addition to the commonly upregulated ZINC INDUCED FACILITATOR 1-like gene in two landraces, different metal transporter-encoding genes identified in B14 (DETOXIFICATION 1) and B36 (PLANT CADMIUM RESISTANCE 2-like, probable zinc transporter 10, and ABC transporter C family member 3) were responsible for Cd accumulation and distribution in cells. Several genes that encode extensins were specifically upregulated in B14, which may improve Cd accumulation in cell walls or regulate root development to absorb more Cd. Meanwhile, the induced high-affinity nitrate transporter 2.1-like gene was also likely to contribute to the higher Cd accumulation in B14. However, Cd also caused some toxic symptoms in both landraces. Cd stress might inhibit iron uptake in both landraces whereas many apoenzyme-encoding genes were influenced in B36, which may be attributed to the interaction between Cd and other metal ions. This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanism of plant root response to Cd at an early stage. The transporters and key enzymes identified in this study are helpful for the molecular-assisted breeding of low- or high-Cd-accumulating plant resources.