Weighted gene co-expression network analysis of regulatory modules by jasmonic acid in Arabidopsis

Environmental conditions lead to biosynthesis of signaling molecules including phytohormones in plants which have important functions as primary messengers in signal transduction and regulating cell metabolism. Jasmonic acid hormone by controlling the transcription factors can play key roles in response to various stresses and developmental processes in plants. Despite numerous studies, plant responses to the hormone are not completely understood. Here, microarray data of Arabidopsis from GEO database was used for analysis of co-expression network. WGCNA (Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis) analysis determines 25 gene groups (modules) that their expression profiles correlated highly significant with each other in response to jasmonic acid. Gene ontology was utilized to investigate each module for statistical significance. This analysis indicated that jasmonic acid controls many processes including photosynthesis, cell programmed death, and response to various stresses. In addition, many of transcription factors such as 11 genes of NAC family and 12 genes of bHLH family play roles in the regulation of jasmonic acid responses and adjust processes including response to biotic and abiotic stresses, flower development and response to light.