Transcriptome profiling of transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. xanthi nc) expressing CchGLP gene from Capsicum chinense Jacq. reveals gene expression associated with stress tolerance

Plants require effective sensing and responses to environmental stimuli, for example in the case of biotic and abiotic stresses. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are well-recognised key signal molecules for the stress response. In previous work in our group, several transgenic tobacco lines were generated constitutively expressing a germin-like gene from Capsicum chinense (CchGLP), producing higher endogen levels of hydrogen peroxide that correlated with tolerance to geminivirus infections and drought stress. Differential transcriptomic analysis between transgenic tobacco lines of low (L1) and high (L8) CchGLP gene expression showed key changes in differential profiles related to the crosstalk between basal metabolism, biochemical and stress-related pathways that might explain the observed tolerant phenotype. Our results suggested that hydrogen peroxide levels modified transcriptomic pattern allowing tolerance in these tobaccos towards biotic and abiotic stresses. Constitutive production of endogen hydrogen peroxide in certain levels within the plants might allow plant protection for future adversely scenarios in global farming.