Cobo Simón, IreneMaloof, Julin N.Li, RuijuanAmini, HajarMéndez Cea, BelénGarcía García, IsabelGómez Garrido, JèssicaEsteve Codina, AnnaDabad, MarcAlioto, TylerWegrzyn, Jill LSeco, José IgnacioLinares, Juan CarlosGallego Rodríguez, Francisco Javier2025-10-132025-10-132022-10-10Cobo-Simón, I., Maloof, J. N., Li, R., Amini, H., Méndez-Cea, B., García-García, I., Gómez-Garrido, J., Esteve-Codina, A., Dabad, M., Alioto, T., Wegrzyn, J. L., Seco, J. I., Linares, J. C., & Gallego, F. J. (2023). Contrasting transcriptomic patterns reveal a genomic basis for drought resilience in the relict fir Abies pinsapo Boiss. Tree physiology, 43(2), 315-334. https://doi.org/10.1093/TREEPHYS/TPAC1150829-318X10.1093/treephys/tpac115https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124823I.C.-S. was supported by a Predoctoral Grant BES-2014-070379 and a Predoctoral Mobility Grant EEBB-I-18-12943, Spanish Ministry of Economy. This study was supported by the project CGL2013-48843-C2-2-R, Spanish Ministry of Economy.Climate change challenges the adaptive capacity of several forest tree species in the face of increasing drought and rising temperatures. Therefore, understanding the mechanistic connections between genetic diversity and drought resilience is highly valuable for conserving drought-sensitive forests. Nonetheless, the post-drought recovery in trees from a transcriptomic perspective has not yet been studied by comparing contrasting phenotypes. Here, experimental drought treatments, gas-exchange dynamics and transcriptomic analysis (RNA-seq) were performed in the relict and drought-sensitive fir Abies pinsapo Boiss. to identify gene expression differences over immediate (24 h) and extended drought (20 days). Post-drought responses were investigated to define resilient and sensitive phenotypes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were also studied to characterize the genomic basis of A. pinsapo drought resilience. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis showed an activation of stomatal closing and an inhibition of plant growth-related genes during the immediate drought, consistent with an isohydric dynamic. During the extended drought, transcription factors, as well as cellular damage and homeostasis protection-related genes prevailed. Resilient individuals activate photosynthesis-related genes and inhibit aerial growth-related genes, suggesting a shifting shoot/root biomass allocation to improve water uptake and whole-plant carbon balance. About, 152 fixed SNPs were found between resilient and sensitive seedlings, which were mostly located in RNA-activity-related genes, including epigenetic regulation. Contrasting gene expression and SNPs were found between different post-drought resilience phenotypes for the first time in a forest tree, suggesting a transcriptomic and genomic basis for drought resilience. The obtained drought-related transcriptomic profile and drought-resilience candidate genes may guide conservation programs for this threatened tree species.engjournal article1758-4469https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpac115https://academic.oup.com/treephys/article/43/2/315/6754643restricted access582.47581.1581.15551.588.7551.577.38Adaptive capacityClimate changeConifersDrought resiliencePhenotypic diversityRNA-seqSNPsSpanish firStomatal regulationBotánica (Biología)Fisiología vegetal (Biología)GenéticaMeteorología (Física)2417 Biología Vegetal (Botánica)2417.19 Fisiología Vegetal2417.14 Genética Vegetal2502 Climatología