scholarly journals Endosperm–Embryo Communications: Recent Advances and Perspectives

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2511
Author(s):  
Jingpu Song ◽  
Xin Xie ◽  
Yuhai Cui ◽  
Jitao Zou
Keyword(s):  
Seed Development ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Endosperm Development ◽  
Seed Maturation ◽  
Embryo Maturation ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Opinion Article

Seed maturation depends on well-coordinated communications between the processes of endosperm and embryo development. The endosperm is considered to be destined to support embryo development and the timing of endosperm cellularization is critical for embryo growth. Recent findings suggest that the endosperm development and the onset of embryo maturation are two independent processes during seed development. Meanwhile, it is lately reported that several mobile regulators originating from the endosperm are needed to ensure proper embryo growth and seed maturation. In this opinion article, we highlight processes on how endosperm communicates with embryo during seed development and discuss some intriguing questions in light of the latest advancements.

scholarly journals LEAFY COTYLEDON1 expression in the endosperm enables embryo maturation in Arabidopsis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingpu Song ◽  
Xin Xie ◽  
Chen Chen ◽  
Jie Shu ◽  
Raj K. Thapa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Development ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Growth Regulators ◽  
Seed Maturation ◽  
Embryo Maturation ◽  
Leafy Cotyledon1 ◽  
Functional Relevance ◽  
Necessary And Sufficient ◽  
Zygote Stage

AbstractThe endosperm provides nutrients and growth regulators to the embryo during seed development. LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1) has long been known to be essential for embryo maturation. LEC1 is expressed in both the embryo and the endosperm; however, the functional relevance of the endosperm-expressed LEC1 for seed development is unclear. Here, we provide genetic and transgenic evidence demonstrating that endosperm-expressed LEC1 is necessary and sufficient for embryo maturation. We show that endosperm-synthesized LEC1 is capable of orchestrating full seed maturation in the absence of embryo-expressed LEC1. Inversely, without LEC1 expression in the endosperm, embryo development arrests even in the presence of functional LEC1 alleles in the embryo. We further reveal that LEC1 expression in the endosperm begins at the zygote stage and the LEC1 protein is then trafficked to the embryo to activate processes of seed maturation. Our findings thus establish a key role for endosperm in regulating embryo development.

Female gametophyte and embryo development of black spruce along a shore-hinterland climatic gradient of a recently created reservoir, northern Quebec

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc Sirois ◽  
Yves Bégin ◽  
Johanne Parent
Keyword(s):  
Embryo Development ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Female Gametophyte ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Seed Maturation ◽  
Cooling Effect ◽  
Sigmoid Function ◽  
Embryo Maturation ◽  
Degree Days

The development of female gametophytes and embryos in relation to cumulative growing degree-days was followed to see if the postulated cooling influence of the Robert-Bourassa reservoir (LG2, northern Quebec) slowed the reproductive process of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.). During the 1996 growing season, three to five developing seed cones were harvested 11 times on nine trees distributed along a shore-hinterland gradient of the northern shore of the reservoir. The daily thermal sum (degree-days > 5°C) in the seed cone zone of the same trees was also monitored to describe the female gametophyte and embryo development of this species as a function of heat sum. The 23 developmental stages identified in this study confirm that the female gametophyte and embryo of P. mariana develop according to the same pattern exhibited by other Picea spp. These stages, although unequal in duration, succeeded each other according to a sigmoid function of the temperature sum. Direct temperature measurements taken 0, 25, and 100 m from the shore of the Robert-Bourassa reservoir suggest the interior trees experienced 107 more degree-days > 5°C than the shoreline trees during seed maturation. Although gametophyte development of the shoreline trees was delayed early in the growing season (Kruskall-Wallis, p = 0.05), this delay does not persist afterward. Despite the net cooling effect of the Robert-Bourassa reservoir, all studied trees achieved embryo maturation in 1996. During this growing season, the warmest since 1977, it took embryos 800-940 degree-days to mature. The shoreline trees reached this temperature threshold later than interior trees. It is suggested that the cooling effect of the Robert-Bourassa reservoir could contribute to the inhibition of embryo maturation in shoreline trees during growing seasons with less than 800 degree-days.Key words: black spruce, climate change, cone development, northern boreal forests, Picea mariana, seed maturation.

scholarly journals Rice LEAFY COTYLEDON1 hinders photosynthesis in the embryo development to promote seed dormancy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fu Guo ◽  
Peijing Zhang ◽  
Yan Wu ◽  
Guiwei Lian ◽  
Wu Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Development ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Seed Dormancy ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Gene Network ◽  
Seed Maturation ◽  
Rice Seed ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Leafy Cotyledon1 ◽  
Ga Biosynthesis

LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1) is the central regulator of seed development. During seed development, rice embryo photosynthesis is completely blocked, which is different from Arabidopsis green embryo. However, effects of LEC1 on photosynthesis in developing seeds is largely elusive. We generated OsLEC1 mutants using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Oslec1 mutant seeds lost the ability of dormancy and triggered photosynthesis in embryos at the early developing stage. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that Oslec1 mutation promoted photosynthesis and altered diverse hormonal pathways and stress response contributing to seed dormancy. Further, genome-wide identification of OsLEC1 binding sites demonstrated that OsLEC1 directly bound to genes involved in photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis, as well as abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) pathways, in seed maturation. We illustrated an OsLEC1-controlling gene network during seed development, including the interconnection between photosynthesis and ABA/GA biosynthesis/signalling. Our findings suggested that OsLEC1 is an inhibitor of photosynthesis during embryo development to promote rice seed maturation. This study would provide new understanding for the OsLEC1 regulatory mechanisms on photosynthesis in the monocot seed development.

scholarly journals Gene expression profiling identifies pathways involved in seeds maturation of Jatropha curcas

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Maghuly ◽  
Tamas Deak ◽  
Klemens Vierlinger ◽  
Stephan Pabinger ◽  
Hakim Tafer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Seed Development ◽  
Jatropha Curcas ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Seed Maturation ◽  
Nutrient Mobilization ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Maturation Stages

Abstract Background: Jatropha curcas, a tropical shrub, is a promising biofuel crop, which produces seeds with a high content of oil and protein. To better understand the development of its seeds to improve Jatropha`s agronomic performance, a two-step approach was performed: 1) generation of the entire transcriptome of six different maturation stages of J. curcas seeds using 454-Roche sequencing of a cDNA library, 2) comparison of transcriptional expression levels in six different developmental stages of seeds using a custom Agilent 8x60K oligonucleotide microarray. Results: A total of 793,875 high-quality reads were assembled into 19,841 unique full-length contigs, of which 13,705 could be annotated with Gene Ontology (GO) terms. Microarray data analysis identified 9,111 probes (out of 57,842 probes), which were differentially expressed between the six developmental stages. The expression results were validated for 70 randomly selected putative genes. Result from cluster analyses showed that transcripts related to sucrose, fatty acid, flavonoid, phenylpropanoid, lignin, hormone biosynthesis were over-represented in the early stage, while lipid storage, seed dormancy and maturation in the late stage. Generally, the expression of the most over-represented transcripts decrease in the last stage of seed maturation. Further, expression analyses of different maturation stages of J. curcas seed showed that most changes in transcript abundance occurred between the two last stages, suggesting that the timing of metabolic pathways during seed maturation in J. curcas is in late stages. The co-expression result showed a high degree of connectivity between genes that play essential role in fatty acid biosynthesis and nutrient mobilization. Furthermore, seed development and hormone pathways are significantly well connected. Conclusion: The obtained results revealed DESs regulating important pathways related to seed maturation, which could contribute to understanding the complex regulatory network during seed development. This study provides detailed information on transcription changes during J. curcas seed development and provides a starting point for a genomic survey of seed quality traits. The current results highlighted specific genes and processes relevant to the molecular mechanisms involved in Jatropha seed development, and it is anticipated that this data can be delivered to other Euphorbiaceae species of economic value.

Physical and physiological changes of Crambe abyssinica Hochst seed during maturation

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. e49895
Author(s):  
Ana Paula de Oliveira Silva ◽  
Isabella Sousa Ribeiro ◽  
Tathiana Elisa Masetto ◽  
Luiz Carlos Ferreira Souza
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Seed Development ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Seed Maturation ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Crambe Abyssinica ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Physiological Quality ◽  
Physical Attributes

Determination of seed-maturation indicators enables the identification of the ideal moment for harvest to achieve the best production and conservation potential. Our objective here was to evaluate some physical and physiological changes of crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) seeds as possible indicators of seed maturation. Crambe flowering was monitored in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Plants were tagged, and 13, 22, 26, and 28 days after the initiation of flowering, the seeds were collected and following physical attributes evaluated: length, diameter, total mass, dry matter and water content. Physiological quality of the seeds was assessed using the germination test, by registering the percentage of normal seedlings and dormant seeds, immediately after each harvest, and again after six months of storage. The water-absorption curves were characterized as a function the seed-development stages. All physical attributes were observed to increase because of the accumulation of reserve substances during seed development, except for water content, which gradually decreased from 72.2% at the start of development to 29.5% at maturity. At 28 days after anthesis the germination percentage of crambe seeds at physiological maturity was only 17%, indicating that they became dormant while maturing. However, seed germination rate was 89% after six months of storage, indicating that dormancy was almost fully overcome after this period.

scholarly journals The DYW-subgroup pentatricopeptide repeat protein PPR27 interacts with ZmMORF1 to facilitate mitochondrial RNA editing and seed development in maize

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (18) ◽  
pp. 5495-5505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Liu ◽  
Shi-Kai Cao ◽  
Aqib Sayyed ◽  
Huan-Huan Yang ◽  
Jiao Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Editing ◽  
Seed Development ◽  
Plant Mitochondria ◽  
Endosperm Development ◽  
Complex Iii ◽  
Mitochondrial Rna ◽  
Mitochondrial Complex ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Ppr Protein ◽  
Ppr Proteins

Abstract C-to-U RNA editing in plant mitochondria requires the participation of many nucleus-encoded factors, most of which are pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins. There is a large number of PPR proteins and the functions many of them are unknown. Here, we report a mitochondrion-localized DYW-subgroup PPR protein, PPR27, which functions in the editing of multiple mitochondrial transcripts in maize. The ppr27 mutant is completely deficient in C-to-U editing at the ccmFN-1357 and rps3-707 sites, and editing at six other sites is substantially reduced. The lack of editing at ccmFN-1357 causes a deficiency of CcmFN protein. As CcmFN functions in the maturation pathway of cytochrome proteins that are subunits of mitochondrial complex III, its deficiency results in an absence of cytochrome c1 and cytochrome c proteins. Consequently, the assembly of mitochondrial complex III and super-complex I+III2 is decreased, which impairs the electron transport chain and respiration, leading to arrests in embryogenesis and endosperm development in ppr27. In addition, PPR27 was found to physically interact with ZmMORF1, which interacts with ZmMORF8, suggesting that these three proteins may facilitate C-to-U RNA editing via the formation of a complex in maize mitochondria. This RNA editing is essential for complex III assembly and seed development in maize.

An analysis of seed development in Pisum sativum. VII. Embryo development and precocious germination in vitro

1988 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Cook ◽  
H. Adams ◽  
C. L. Hedley ◽  
M. J. Ambrose ◽  
T. L. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Pisum Sativum ◽  
Seed Development ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Precocious Germination

Early seed development in the annual and perennial Secale taxa

1985 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Gustafson ◽  
A. J. Lukaszewski
Keyword(s):  
Seed Development ◽  
Dna Content ◽  
Endosperm Development ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Embryo Cell ◽  
Developmental Patterns ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Embryo Cells ◽  
Telomeric Heterochromatin ◽  
Early Seed Development

The early embryo and endosperm development patterns of five annual taxa and three perennial taxa of the genus Secale were analyzed. The results showed that there was considerable variation in the speed of early embryo and endosperm development within the genus Secale, and that the developmental patterns of the annual and perennial taxa overlapped. Comparisons indicated that DNA content per se did not have any influence on the speed of early embryo development or aberrant endosperm nucleus production in either the annual or perennial taxa. However, comparisons between the percent telomeric heterochromatin and the number of embryo cells produced showed a significant positive correlation in the annual taxa, and a nonsignificant correlation in the perennial taxa. There was a positive correlation between the number of aberrant endosperm nuclei and percent telomeric heterochromatin in the annual taxa, while the perennial taxa showed a nonsignificant but negative correlation. The results suggest that percent telomeric heterochromatin has a different effect on early seed development in the annual taxa than in the perennial taxa.Key words: Secale, heterochromatin, DNA content, embryo cell cycle.

An ultrastructural study of embryo and endosperm development during in vitro culture of maize ovaries (Zea mays)

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (10) ◽  
pp. 2227-2238 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. N. Schel ◽  
H. Kieft
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Culture ◽  
Embryo Development ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Culture Method ◽  
Endosperm Development ◽  
Endosperm Formation ◽  
Development In Vitro ◽  
Maize Embryos

A culture method is described which allows the continuous supply of fresh liquid medium and which prevents the accumulation of toxic metabolites. Development of maize embryos and endosperm after various periods of in vitro ovary culture was studied by light and electron microscopy. Using this method the ultrastructural features of embryo development in vitro were similar to those of in vivo embryos. In contrast, the formation of endosperm was irregular with the absence of cellularization of the inner endosperm being frequent. In some cases, only the endosperm developed without any indication of embryo formation. In a calcium-depleted medium, embryo development was normal but again, endosperm formation was aberrant. No cells were formed in the central part of the endosperm and near the placental region degeneration took place, resulting in vacuoles with dark inclusions, clumps of rough endoplasmic reticulum membranes, and cellular breakdown. The events occurring after in vitro culture strongly resemble those taking place after intergeneric crosses or crosses between diploid and tetraploid strains. It is concluded that defective endosperm development is probably the main factor for the failure of embryo development.

A morphological and biochemical analysis of embryo maturation during yellow cypress seed development

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mimi L. Kurz ◽  
Dane R. Roberts ◽  
Barry S. Flinn ◽  
William E. Vidaver
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Seed Development ◽  
Storage Proteins ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Moisture Loss ◽  
Embryo Maturation ◽  
Molecular Masses ◽  
Stage 1

Embryo maturation in yellow cypress (Chamaecyparisnootkatensis (D. Don) Spach) seeds was studied at the morphological, anatomical, and biochemical level over the second and third seasons of seed development. Monthly cone collections were made from six open-pollinated families from two seed orchards. The average number of seeds and embryos per cone for each family was 8.8 and 4.6, respectively. Sixty to 70% of those embryos harvested from early collection dates (December 1988–March 1989) were precotyledonary (stages 1 and 2), with an average length of 0.5 mm. By April 1989 a distinct shift in the proportion of precotyledonary (stages 1 and 2) to late cotyledonary (stages 5 and 6) embryos was observed. The frequency of late cotyledonary (stages 5 and 6) embryos was 100% by August 1989 of the third growing season and averaged 2.5 mm in overall size. Moisture loss and dry weight accumulation were still progressing at the time of seed dispersal and may suggest embryo immaturity. Anatomical studies revealed protein and lipid bodies were present as early as the stage 1 embryo and became increasingly abundant during maturation. The major storage proteins isolated from protein bodies of embryo tissues had apparent molecular masses of 37, 36, 35, 34, 28, 26, and 24 kDa. Based on their solubility characteristics, the proteins were identified as buffer-soluble albumins that contained intermolecular disulfide linkages. Storage proteins were detected in early stage embryos and increased in abundance throughout maturation. Upon germination, storage proteins slowly declined to low levels by 16 and 20 days postgermination. The evidence suggests that yellow cypress embryos may be immature at the time of seed dispersal and this immaturity may contribute to the poor germination exhibited by this species.

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