# The responses of rice plant to tricyclazole at the transcriptome and metabolome levels

## TL;DR

This study explores how rice plants respond to tricyclazole pesticide at the molecular and metabolic levels, revealing key pathways and compounds involved in stress resistance.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific metabolic pathways and key metabolites involved in rice's resistance to tricyclazole-induced stress.

## Key findings

- Tricyclazole increased oxidative stress markers SOD, CAT, POD, and MDA in rice roots and shoots.
- Flavonoid, glutathione, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways were key in the stress response.
- Several key metabolites were identified as involved in self-detoxification and resistance development in rice.

## Abstract

Tricyclazole is widely employed as a pesticide for controlling rice blast. While effective, it simultaneously acts as a stressor on rice plants.

Rice seedlings were treated with tricyclazole for 7 days, and the root and shoot samples were collected for analysis. Four biomarkers of oxidative stress, including SOD, CAT, POD, and MDA were measured to evaluate the physiological responses. Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis was performed to reveal the mechanisms underlying the tricyclazole-induced stress response.

Tricyclazole significantly increased the levels of SOD, CAT, POD, and MDA in the root and shoot of rice. A variety of differential metabolites and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, which exhibited diverse functionalities. Flavonoid biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were three important metabolic pathways in response to tricyclazole. These pathways encompassed many important metabolites and regulatory genes involved in stress responses. In addition, D-mannose, hispidulin-8-C-glucoside, dicumarol, and 4-hydroxyderricin in the root, and S-Adenosyl-L-methionine, nicotinate D-ribonucleoside, luteolin-7-O-(3'-O-coumaroyl) sophorotrioside, and D-Arabinono-1,4-lactone in the shoot were key metabolites involved in self-detoxification and resistance development of rice against tricyclazole. At the molecular level, these metabolites could be regulated by various DEGs involved in the systemic acquired resistance and response to toxic substances.

A coordinated molecular and metabolic reprogramming triggered by tricyclazole enables the rice plant to mitigate stress and develop resistance.