Stage-Specific Regulatory Network Inference for Heat-Induced Silique Branching in Brassica napus
Keywords:
Brassica napus, Silique Branching, Gene Regulatory Networks, Heat StressAbstract
Climate change and the associated increase in global average temperatures pose a severe threat to agricultural productivity worldwide. Brassica napus, commonly known as rapeseed or canola, is a globally significant oilseed crop that exhibits high sensitivity to heat stress, particularly during its reproductive stages. Elevated temperatures during flowering and early silique development frequently lead to structural anomalies, including heat-induced silique branching, which ultimately affects seed yield and oil quality. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning this morphological adaptation requires a comprehensive temporal analysis of gene expression. This study aims to construct stage-specific gene regulatory networks to elucidate the complex, time-dependent transcriptional reprogramming driving heat-induced silique branching in Brassica napus. By utilizing high-resolution time-course transcriptomic data collected across early, intermediate, and late stages of heat stress, we employ advanced computational inference methodologies to identify dynamic regulatory modules and crucial hub genes. Our analysis reveals stage-specific activation of heat shock factors, accompanied by intricate cross-talk with phytohormone signaling pathways, specifically auxin and cytokinin, which dictate architectural plasticity. The identification of stage-specific regulatory hubs offers unprecedented insights into the chronobiology of stress-induced developmental plasticity. These findings provide a vital genomic resource and theoretical foundation for future breeding programs aimed at engineering climate-resilient Brassica napus cultivars through targeted genetic manipulation of temporal stress responses.
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