4.4 Article

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals function of TERF1 in promoting seed germination

Journal

PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS
Volume 27, Issue 8, Pages 1659-1674

Publisher

SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s12298-021-01049-4

Keywords

Seed germination; TERF1; ABA; Auxin; ABI5

Categories

Funding

  1. Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Basal Research Fund [1610042018006]

Ask authors/readers for more resources

Seed germination is promoted by overexpression of Tomato Ethylene Responsive Factor 1 (TERF1), leading to increased levels of SA, IAA, ABA, and GAs, and decreased levels of JA in TERF1 seeds. Transcriptome analysis identified differentially expressed genes involved in various biological processes, revealing the regulatory role of TERF1 in the ABA and GA biosynthesis and signaling pathways for seed germination.
Seed germination marks a new life cycle of a plant. Although ethylene promotes seed germination, the underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. Ethylene Responsive Factors (ERFs) play an essential role in ethylene signaling. Here we show that overexpression of Tomato Ethylene Responsive Factor 1 (TERF1), an ERF transcription factor isolated from tomato, can promote tobacco seed germination at 23 degrees C in darkness. Hormones analysis showed that salicylic acid (SA), 3-indoleacetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acids (GAs) were significantly increased by TERF1, while jasmonic acid (JA) was significantly reduced in TERF1 seeds. Transcriptome analysis identified 7,961 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 6,213 mRNAs, 25 miRNAs, 1,581 lncRNAs and 141 circRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed that cell cycles, sugar metabolism, microtubule-based processes were activated by TERF1, while DNA repair, lipid metabolism were repressed by TERF1. We also identified differentially expressed regulatory genes for ABA and GA biosynthesis or signaling in TERF1 seed, including transcription factors, kinases, phosphatases and ubiquitin protein ligases, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). At posttranscriptional level TERF1 also regulates gene expression through alternative splicing (AS). Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis revealed three key biological processes regulated by TERF1, including nitrogen metabolism, light related processes and mitosis. Pheynotype and gene expression analysis showed that TERF1 significantly reduced seed sensitivity to ABA and auxin during germination through repressing key components of ABA signaling pathway. Our results unraveled the function of TERF1 in promoting seed germination.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.4
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available