Single-nucleus RNA sequencing of Nicotiana tabacum seedlings reveals heterogeneity among cell types

Growth of multicellular organisms relies on diversity in gene expression between cells of different functions. Single-cell transcriptomes can facilitate analysis of cell specific response to different environmental stress. By performing single-nucleus sequencing of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) seedlings, 13,028 single cells were profiled. We identified 29 clusters corresponding to 18 cell types, some of which were verified by in situ hybridization. Developmental trajectory results and comparisons of ligand-receptor repertoires revealed cell specific functions of different cell types in tobacco seedlings. Divergent and conserved genes between tobacco and rice (Oryza sativa) highlighted some cell specific and species specific gene features. Our study generated the first single-cell transcriptome atlas of tobacco seedling, providing a wide range of information into the role and functions of different cell types.