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Induction of 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds enhances seed dormancyk.

Authors :
Martínez-Andújar, Cristina
Ordiz, M. Isabel
Zhonglian Huang
Nonogaki, Mariko
Beachy, Roger N.
Nonogaki, Hiroyuki
Source :
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 10/11/2011, Vol. 108 Issue 41, p17225-17229. 5p.
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

Full understanding of mechanisms that control seed dormancy and germination remains elusive. Whereas it has been proposed that translational control plays a predominant role in germination, other studies suggest the importance of specific gene expression patterns in imbibed seeds. Transgenic plants were developed to permit conditional expression of a gene encoding 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase 6 (NCED6), a rate-limiting enzyme in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis, using the ecdysone receptor-based plant gene switch system and the ligand methoxyfenozide. Induction of NCED6 during imbibition increased ABA levels more than 20-fold and was sufficient to prevent seed germination. Germination suppression was prevented by fluridone, an inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis. In another study, induction of the NCED6 gene in transgenic seeds of nondormant mutants tt3 and tt4 reestablished seed dormancy. Furthermore, inducing expression of NCED6 during seed development suppressed vivipary, precocious germination of developing seeds. These results indicate that expression of a hormone metabolism gene in seeds can be a sole determinant of dormancy. This study opens the possibility of developing a robust technology to suppress or promote seed germination through engineering pathways of hormone metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00278424
Volume :
108
Issue :
41
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
66929352
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1112151108