Transcriptome profiling of somatic embryogenesis in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) influenced by auxin, calcium and brassinosteroid

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a crucial plant process which is triggered by the hormone auxin and involves the reprogramming of somatic cell development towards the embryogenic mode of differentiation. In order to unravel the molecular basis of SE, we sequenced the transcriptome of wheat leaf base (Triticum aestivum var. PBW343) under five different conditions i.e. (i) grown on MS basal medium, (ii) supplemented with 2,4-D for 24 h, (iii) supplemented with CaCl2, (iv) treated with 2,4-D for 24 h followed by 10 days incubation on MS basal medium, and (v) supplemented with epibrassinolide for 24 h. We identified least 236,331 genes and 363,424 transcripts in the transcriptome using a genome-guided approach. A considerable number of genes involved in hormone response, signal transduction pathways, calcium mediated signaling, oxidative stress, cell elongation and differentiation were identified. The present study provides in depth analysis of genes involved in the induction of SE in response to auxin, calcium and brassinosteroid in wheat.