Transcriptome analysis of transcription factors in rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.) under postharvest stress

Rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.) is widely used in fresh-cut salads and it is appreciated by consumers for its nutraceutical and sensorial properties. The evaluation of quality in ready-to-eat vegetables over the production pipeline is a crucial need for the fresh-cut industry. Analysis of the transcriptome allows studying the transcriptional events that take place in an organism under different physiological conditions. In this study rocket has been subjected to different postharvest stress conditions, and transcriptome analysis was employed to study the changes induced in specific pathways or gene families. Plants were grown using hydroponic systems in controlled growth chambers for 3 weeks prior to stress treatment. Post-harvest stresses included chilling, wounding, dark and water deprivation. Sampling was performed after 24 h and total RNA was extracted from stressed and control plants and sequenced with a two paired-end Illumina sequencing platform. Preliminary results from the analysis of the transcription factors which were influenced by stresses are presented. Among the 33874 transcripts found, 2188 were identified as putative transcription factor genes and were clustered into groups corresponding to the most representative transcription factors families. Results suggest an involvement of transcription factors in plant stress responses. The data obtained from this work will help to shed more light on the mechanisms of stress response in rocket, with regards to the regulatory network and to the involvement of specific pathways which cover important roles in plant physiology and in human nutrition.