The Effect of Drought on Histone Modifications and the Transcriptome of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Grown in Two Different Locations

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a leguminous crop that is grown and consumed across the world for its high protein, mineral and fiber content. We seek to conduct a global transcriptomic and histone modification profile of a selected common bean genotype (NE28-15-16) grown in two different locations, Delaware and Nebraska, under both irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. Root, leaf and pod tissues were harvested from multiple plants at the same point of development, stage R8 mid-pod set, from both locations. RT-PCR was then used to determine if there was a differential expression in stress-related genes, such as; aquaporin proteins, DREBs, heat shock proteins, LEAs, and ZIP transcription factors. RNA-Seq will be performed on the samples for a more complete transcriptomic profile. ChIP-Seq analysis will be conducted to understand how the different environmental conditions can lead to changes in epigenomic marks (methylation and acetylation) of the chromatin. This study will allow for a deeper understanding of how different environments and conditions can alter the epigenome of the plant which in-turn will alter the gene expression profile, with a specific focus on drought-induced genes.