Comparative transcriptome profiling of Arabidopsis Col-0 in responses to heat stress under different light conditions

Light and temperature are two of the most important environmental stimuli regulating plant development. Studies have revealed that light and temperature synergically regulate numerous developmental and metabolic processes. In this study, we adopted microarray and real-time PCR to identify common components via the analysis of Arabidopsis heat stress (HS) response under light and dark conditions. It certificated the existence of crosstalk between light and temperature signaling pathways. The analysis of microarray revealed that variable—light—influenced plant HS response in a great extent. Furthermore, various genes, e.g., two phytochrome genes (PHYA and PHYB) and one transcriptional factor gene (HY5), were recognized as light-responsive elements, and answered to HS. The expression levels of three genes rhythmically showed up-and-down oscillations after HS. These results can help to understand how plants perceive temperature signal and identify the interrelationship between signal transduction pathways.