Microarray data uncover the genome-wide gene expression patterns in response to heat stress in rice post-meiosis panicle

To comprehend the gene expression profile in rice panicle under high temperature, Agilent 4×44K rice oligo microarray experiments were carried out using rice post-meiosis panicle treated at 40 centigrade degree for 0 min, 10 min, 20 min, 60 min, and 2 h. The time course differentially expressed genes under heat stress were mainly involved in protein binding, catalysis, stress response, and cellular process. The significantly changed genes during heat treatment were mainly up-regulated. Among heat-responsive (HR) genes, the predominant transcription factor gene families were Hsf, NAC, AP2/ERF, WRKY, MYB, and C2H2. Fifty four of the HR genes were functionally characterized based on OGRO database, and most of these characterized HR genes were related to stress resistance, panicle flower and sterility. The MapMan analysis demonstrated that, under heat stress, the HR genes were enriched in the pathways related to biotic and abiotic stress, cell cycle, development, ubiquitinproteasome system, lipid and secondary metabolisms. Comparative transcriptome analysis identified 113 potential anther meiosis-related target genes under heat stress. These data revealed the great importance of multiple functions of candidate genes and protein homeostasis in response to heat stress in rice panicle at post-meiosis stage.