Genome-Wide Expression Profiling of Cytochrome P450 Genes in Response to the Oxidative Stress in Saccharum spp.

CYP450 enzymes are versatile catalysts involved in diverse chemical reactions, including xenobiotic metabolism and stress response pathways. Sugarcane, a globally significant energy crop, faces oxidative stress induced by abiotic and biotic stresses impacting plant metabolism and physiology. This study aimed to compare the response of cultivated (Co 86032) and stress-tolerant wild sugarcane species (Erianthus arundinaceus and Saccharum spontaneum) to oxidative stress. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted to identify genes responsive to oxidative stress and CYP450 enzymes, while protein–protein interactions of cytochrome family proteins were explored under oxidative stress conditions. Differential expression patterns of gene transcripts were observed under oxidative stress across different species. In the cultivated variety (Co 86032), two downregulated CYP450 gene transcripts were identified. In contrast, one upregulated CYP450 gene transcript was observed in both Erianthus sp. and S. spontaneum. Additionally, S. spontaneum exhibited eight downregulated transcripts. The gene CYP 450 84A1 was upregulated in all the genotypes; however, the fold change was higher for the wild species than the Co 86032. RT-PCR validation of the CYP450 84A1 gene confirmed the findings from next-generation sequencing data, showing consistent results. Additionally, by designing primers for three individual exons, the study observed varying levels of variant transcripts for the CYP450 84A1. The protein interaction network analysis showed a shared protein, Sh_212F09_p000130, identified as a 4-coumarate-CoA ligase-like 1 protein, present in the networks of both S. spontaneum and Co 86032, suggesting its involvement in combating biotic and abiotic stresses.