The recent advent RNA sequencing technology (RNA-Seq), a massively parallel sequencing method for transcriptome analysis, provides an opportunity to understand the expression profile of plants in response to biotic and abiotic stress. In this study, the mRNA was sequencing from leaves and roots of two native potato varieties at different levels of drought. Fifty-base-pair reads from whole mRNAs were mapped to the potato genomic sequence: 75 – 82% mapped uniquely to the genome, 6 – 14% mapped to several locations in the genome and 9 – 12% had no match in the genome. Comparing expression profiles, 887 to 1925 genes were found to be induced/repressed by drought in the sensible variety and 998 to 1995 in the tolerant. This research provides valuable information for future studies and deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism of drought resistance in potato and related species.

The recent advent RNA sequencing technology (RNA-Seq), a massively parallel sequencing method for transcriptome analysis, provides an opportunity to understand the expression profile of plants in response to biotic and abiotic stress. In this study, the mRNA was sequencing from leaves and roots of two native potato varieties at different levels of drought. Fifty-base-pair reads from whole mRNAs were mapped to the potato genomic sequence: 75 – 82% mapped uniquely to the genome, 6 – 14% mapped to several locations in the genome and 9 – 12% had no match in the genome. Comparing expression profiles, 887 to 1925 genes were found to be induced/repressed by drought in the sensible variety and 998 to 1995 in the tolerant. This research provides valuable information for future studies and deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism of drought resistance in potato and related species.

Plant response to drought stress comprises growth inhibition, stomatal closure, an increase in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and increased antioxidant metabolism, among others. Drought tolerance in plants is linked to photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. Drought-inducible functional proteins include those that protect cells from water deficit and oxidation as well as transcription factors and signaling molecules associated with the water-stress response. Native potatoes from the Andean regions of Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia grow at altitudes as high as 11483 ft. (3500m) above sea level. Because of their high genetic diversity, they are well adapted to the harsh environmental conditions that prevail in the high Andes, including drought. This makes them ideal candidates for gene expression studies associated with drought tolerance. St. Thomas University is collaborating with the Un...