Transcriptomic evidence of Dicranopteris pedata’s specialized defense systems against REEs stress

Dicranopteris pedata is a typical REEs-hyperaccumulator that efficiently takes up REEs from the soil. However, the molecule mechanisms of REEs absorption and transportation by D. pedata is still unclear. In this study, D. pedata was selected as the research subject and exposed it to varying concentrations of yttrium (Y) and cerium (Ce) to investigate its stress effects. The results revealed, low exogenous REEs concentration can promote the expression of photosynthesis genes, and higher REEs stress can impede this process. Moreover, the significant down-regulation of PstS, ABCA3, ABCB1, ABCC1, and ABCD3 of the ABC transporter family may reduce the adverse effects of REEs. D. pedata can alleviate oxidative damage by increasing the activity of SOD and CAT, but this mechanism fails under high REEs stress. In addition, D. pedata up-regulates the gene expression of flavonoids, brassinosteroids, lysine, isoquinoline alkaloids, and streptomycin biosynthesis to alleviate stress. Besides, D. pedata also up-regulated the expression of naphthalene, caprolactam, toluene, geraniol, and fluorobenzoate degradation genes, which may be related to the detoxification mechanism of D. pedata. This study elucidates the physiological and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of REEs stress response in D. pedata, deepening our understanding of the response of D. pedata to REEs stress.