Integrated proteome and metabolome analysis of the penultimate internodes revealing remobilization efficiency in contrasting barley genotypes under water stress

The remobilization of stored assimilates from stems to seeds plays a pivotal role in augmenting barley yield, particularly under water stress conditions. This study examines the molecular mechanisms underlying stem reserve utilization by conducting a comparative analysis of the proteome and metabolome across three barley contrasting genotypes: Yousef, Morocco, and PBYT17. Evaluations were performed at 21 and 28 days after anthesis (DAA) under both water stress and control conditions. The results indicate that the Yousef genotype exhibits superior remobilization of stem reserves, thereby demonstrating its potential to thrive even in adverse environmental conditions. Utilizing advanced quantitative proteomics and targeted metabolomics, this investigation identified a significant number of metabolites and proteins exhibiting differential accumulation across the genotypes. Specifically, 17 metabolites and 1580 proteins were catalogued, highlighting the intricate biochemical responses to water stress. Noteworthy enzymes such as sucrose synthase, inositol monophosphatase 3, and galactokinase were found to be closely associated with remobilization efficiency. In the drought-tolerant genotype, these enzymes maintained stable levels, in stark contrast to the decline observed in the susceptible genotype. This stability is crucial for promoting seed development through ascorbic acid synthesis and for mitigating oxidative stress, which is exacerbated by drought conditions. The elevated levels of certain metabolites, including glucose 6-phosphate, and UDP-glucose, in the drought-tolerant genotype suggest a robust mechanism for maintaining signalling molecules for carbon availability, which is then instrumental in regulating plant growth and seed size development. The findings from this study strongly imply that the drought-tolerant genotype, through enhanced antioxidant capacity, can effectively produce energy-rich storage compounds, thereby optimizing carbon allocation under water stress. Such insights are invaluable for future breeding strategies aimed at improving barley resilience in the face of climate variability.