The combined effect of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) starvation on their uptake and transportation and the molecular regulatory networks is poorly understood in wheat. To fill this gap, we performed a comprehensive physiological, biochemical and transcriptome analysis in two bread wheat genotypes, i.e. Narmada 195 and PBW 502, differing in inherent Fe and Zn content. Compared to PBW 502, Narmada 195 exhibited increased tolerance to Fe and Zn withdrawal by significantly modulating the critical physiological and biochemical parameters. We identified 25 core genes associated with four key pathways, i.e. methionine cycle, phytosiderophore biosynthesis, antioxidant and transport system, that exhibited significant up-regulation in both the genotypes with a maximum in Narmada 195. We also identified 26 microRNAs targeting 14 core genes across the four pathways. Together, core genes identified can serve as valuable resources for further functional research for genetic improvement of Fe and Zn content in wheat grain.

在小麦中，铁 (Fe) 和锌 (Zn) 饥饿对其吸收和运输以及分子调控网络的综合影响知之甚少。为了填补这一空白，我们对固有铁和锌含量不同的两种面包小麦基因型，即Narmada 195 和 PBW 502 进行了全面的生理、生化和转录组分析。与 PBW 502 相比，Narmada 195 通过显着调节关键生理和生化参数表现出对铁和锌撤除的耐受性增加。我们确定了与四个关键途径相关的 25 个核心基因，即蛋氨酸循环、植物铁载体生物合成，抗氧化和转运系统，在两种基因型中都表现出显着的上调，在 Narmada 195 中达到最大值。我们还鉴定了 26 个 microRNA，靶向 4 个途径的 14 个核心基因。总之，鉴定出的核心基因可以作为进一步功能研究小麦籽粒中铁和锌含量遗传改良的宝贵资源。