De Novo Transcriptome Sequencing of Ramonda serbica: Identification of the Candidate Genes Involved in the Desiccation Tolerance

Abstract

Introduction: Ramonda serbica Panc. is a resurrection plant that can survive a long period of severe dehydrationdesiccation. Desiccation induces cellular membrane integrity loss, protein aggregation, and denaturation, as well as accelerated generation of reactive oxygen species. However, R. serbica can fully recover its metabolic functions already one day upon watering [1]. Aim: to obtain more insight into the mechanisms of desiccation tolerance in R. serbica by differential de novo transcriptomics of hydrated (HL) and desiccated leaves (DL).