Identification of Arabis alpina genomic regions associated with climatic variables along an elevation gradient through whole genome scan

We performed a pooled whole-genome sequencing on samples of the alpine plant Arabis alpina, harvested in ten populations along an elevation gradient in the French Alps. A large dataset of genetic variations was produced as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A combined genome scan approach enabled detecting genomic regions associated with a synthetic environmental variable characterizing the climate at each sampling location. Positive loci detected by two methods were retained and belong to 19 regions in the Arabis alpina genome. The most significant region harbors an ortholog of the AtNAC062 gene, encoding a membrane-bound transcription factor described as linking the cold response and pathogen resistance that may confer protection to plants under extended snow coverage at high elevations. Other genes involved in the stress response or in flowering regulation were also detected. Altogether, our results indicated that Arabis alpina represent a suitable model for studying genomic adaptation in alpine perennial plants.