Identification of the Genetic Basis of Response to De-Acclimation in Winter Barley

Mechanisms involved in the de-acclimation of herbaceous plants caused by warm periods during winter are poorly understood. This study identifies the genes associated with this mechanism in winter barley. Seedlings of eight accessions (four tolerant and four susceptible to de-acclimation cultivars and advanced breeding lines) were cold acclimated for three weeks and de-acclimated at 12 °C/5 °C (day/night) for one week. We performed differential expression analysis using RNA sequencing. In addition, reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme activity analyses were used to investigate changes in the expression of selected genes. The number of transcripts with accumulation level changed in opposite directions during acclimation and de-acclimation was much lower than the number of transcripts with level changed exclusively during one of these processes. The de-acclimation-susceptible accessions showed changes in the expression of a higher number of functionally diverse genes during de-acclimation. Transcripts associated with stress response, especially oxidoreductases, were the most abundant in this group. The results provide novel evidence for the distinct molecular regulation of cold acclimation and de-acclimation. Upregulation of genes controlling developmental changes, typical for spring de-acclimation, was not observed during mid-winter de-acclimation. Mid-winter de-acclimation seems to be perceived as an opportunity to regenerate after stress. Unfortunately, it is competitive to remain in the cold-acclimated state. This study shows that the response to mid-winter de-acclimation is far more expansive in de-acclimation-susceptible cultivars, suggesting that a reduced response to the rising temperature is crucial for de-acclimation tolerance.