Jasjit Mangat
Major Professor: Dr. Kranthi Varala
MS DEFENSE SEMINAR
October 3rd at 9:00 AM
HORT 222
“ALTERNATIVE SPLICING: PEELING ANOTHER LAYER OF COLD STRESS RESPONSE IN TOMATO”
Abstract: Tomato, being a tropical species, is sensitive to temperatures below 10°C limiting its growth to warmer regions and greenhouses. Understanding its cold response pathways will help us fine-tune its genome for more resiliency through breeding and biotechnology. Reportedly, plant genes undergo alternative splicing (AS) in response to various environmental stresses, however, the dynamics of this response to cold are unknown in tomato. To determine the timing of these changes, a fine-scale time-series cold (4°C) experiment was performed followed by RNA-sequencing of shoot and root tissues. Computational analysis revealed various AS genes changing within the first 20 minutes of temperature reduction and later on. Many AS genes were common between shoot and root, however, the majority of the changes were organ-specific. Circadian rhythm and photosynthesis were the most significant among the various impacted biological processes, highlighting their importance in cold stress response. In addition to its direct impact in tomato, this study will also help us gain insights into cold response pathways of other commercially important, closely related species.