Transcriptome analysis shows nicotinamide seed treatment alters expression of genes involved in defense and epigenetic processes in roots of seedlings of Picea abies

Abstract Nicotinamide treatment of plants and plant cell cultures has been shown to promote defense decrease levels DNA methylation. In the present study, we used RNA-seq technology study overall changes in gene expression induced roots 3-month-old spruce ( Picea abies ) seedlings grown from nicotinamide-treated seeds examine molecular mechanisms underlying promotion. Approximately 350 genes were identified as differentially expressed after seed treatment. Stress response genes, including transcription factors MYB77 LHY two chitinase enzymes, generally upregulated, whereas thought be involved epigenetic regulation such DDM1, known methylation, at high frequency among downregulated genes. Across all samples, epigenetic-related was highly correlated with nicotinamide treatment, indicating a common regulation. Our results support an earlier hypothesis regarding potential role defense-signal mediator.