A NAPIN PROMOTER ACTIVATES GENE EXPRESSION IN DEVELOPING SEEDS OF <i>LESQUERELLA FENDLERI</i>

Polyploidization is a universal phenomenon in plants and plays a crucial role in evolution. In this study, the transcriptomes of developing seeds of a synthetic Brassica hexaploid and its parents (B. rapa and B. carinata) were analyzed to find the gene expression changes in hexaploid seeds. There were 3166 and 3893 DEGs between the Brassica hexaploid and its parents at the full-size stage and mature stage, respectively, most of which were upregulated in hexaploid seeds compared to its parents. At the mature stage, the hexaploid seeds showed a greater difference from its parents. These DEGs had a wide range of functions, which may account for the physiological and morphological differences between the Brassica hexaploid and its parents. The KEGG pathway analysis revealed that hexaploid seeds had higher levels of expression of genes involved in metabolic pathways, RNA transport and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and the expression levels in the photosynthesis-related pathways were significantly higher than those in B. rapa. Transgressive expression was the main non-additive expression pattern of the Brassica hexaploid. The gene expression difference between the Brassica hexaploid and its paternal parent was more significant than that with its maternal parent, which may be due in part to the cytoplasmic and maternal effects. Moreover, transcription factor genes, such as G2-like, MYB and mTERF, were highly expressed in hexaploid seeds, possibly promoting their resistance to stress. Our results may provide valuable insights into the adaptation mechanisms of polyploid plants.

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Differential Gene Expression Profiles in Developing Seeds of Brassica napus L. under Different Nitrogen Application Levels

ACTA AGRONOMICA SINICA ◽

10.3724/sp.j.1006.2012.02052 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 38 (11) ◽

pp. 2052-2060

Author(s):

Gui-Xin YAN ◽

Bi-Yun CHEN ◽

Kun XU ◽

Gui-Zhen GAO ◽

Pei-Jun LÜ ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Brassica Napus ◽

Differential Gene Expression ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Gene Expression Profiles ◽

Nitrogen Application ◽

Developing Seeds ◽

Differential Gene

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Differential expression of genes during legume seed development

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.1986.0059 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 314 (1166) ◽

pp. 367-384 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Seed Development ◽

Seed Protein ◽

Practical Significance ◽

Specific Expression ◽

Control Of Gene Expression ◽

Developing Seeds ◽

Expression Of Genes ◽

Seed Protein Genes ◽

Developmental Programme

The accumulation of certain proteins specific to those tissues in the developing seeds of legumes represents a system of academic and practical significance in the study of differential gene expression. Besides the simple distinction between ‘seed-specific’ and ‘non-seed-specific’ expression of genes, further controls are present in determining the level of expression of a particular gene, and the variations in its expression with cell type, developmental stage and environmental perturbation. There are also genetic factors that lead to variations in the expression of homologous genes between lines or species. Gene expression can be assayed at the levels of synthesis of specific proteins, level of mRNA species, and transcription of specific genes, and the results of all these assays lead to a broad correlation between events at the level of the gene and protein deposition in the developing seed. This correlation is strong at earlier stages of seed development, but is weaker at later stages. Evidence is presented that control of gene expression occurs both at transcription and by post-transcriptional processes. Seed protein genes have conserved sequences in their 5' flanking regions that are specific to gene families, and these are suggested to be involved in transcriptional control of the expression of these genes. Although such sequences are unlikely to be solely responsible for transcription control, there is no strong evidence for changes in DNA methylation or in chromatin conformation being causally related to expression of seed protein genes. Control of gene expression in developing seeds is considered in terms of a genetically determined, conserved developmental programme, the aim of which is to produce a viable embryo. This programme will allow considerable plasticity in gene expression within constraints prescribed by seed viability. Although it may be possible to understand the immediate controls of seed protein gene expression, present systems are not adequate to study the genes that control the developmental programme. More fundamental investigations will be assisted by mutants that possess altered seed development patterns.

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