Proteomic analysis reveals different involvement of embryo and endosperm proteins during ageing of Yliangyou 2 hybrid rice seeds

Seed ageing is a process that results in a delayed germination, a decreased germination percentage, and finally a total loss of seed viability. However, the mechanism of seed ageing is poorly understood. In the present study, Yliangyou 2 hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) seeds were artificially aged at 100% relative humidity and 40°C, and the effect of artificial ageing on germination, germination time course and the change in protein profiles of embryo and endosperm was studied to understand the molecular mechanism behind seed ageing. With an increasing duration of artificial ageing, the germination percentage and germination rate of hybrid rice seeds decreased. By comparing the protein profiles from the seeds aged for 0, 10 and 25 d, a total of 91 and 100 protein spots were found to show a significant change of more than 2-fold (P