The down regulated genes related with creeping-rooted characteristics of alfalfa based on the RNA-seq

In order to understand the mechanism of alfalfa creeping-rooted characteristics at the molecular level, the transcriptome library of non creeping-rooted parts and the creeping-rooted parts of alfalfa variety “BL-101” with creeping-rooted characteristics were constructed and the differentially expressed genes and their functions were analyzed. The results showed that there were totally 15 978 differentially expressed genes, including five down regulated genes involved in the biological rooting processes. For these 5 genes, 2 genes belonged to Lon protease family which associated with the regulation of plant hormone ABA and the other 3 genes belong to plant actin protease family, thioredoxin and lipoxygenase, respectively. These results could provid the theory basis to understand the molecular mechanism of creeping-rooted characteristics.