Eruca sativa Rocket Science RNA-seq

Here we investigated the physiological and molecular mechanisms underpinning the spaceflight effects on dry seeds. We found that Space seed germination vigor was reduced and aging sensitivity increased but the spaceflight did not compromise seed viability and the development of normal seedlings.

Comparative analysis of the transcriptomes (using RNASeq) in dry seeds and upon controlled artificial aging treatment (CAAT) revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with spaceflight and ageing. DEG categories enriched by spaceflight and CAAT included transcription and translation with reduced transcript abundances for 40S and 60S ribosomal subunit genes. Among the spaceflight-up DEGs were Heat Shock Protein (HSP) DNAJ-related chaperones a Heat Shock Factor (HSFA7a-like) and components of several DNA repair pathways (e.g. ATM DNA ligase1).