Proteomic approach to analyze dormancy breaking of tree seeds

Abstract

In forest broadleaves from the temperate zone, a large number of species exhibit seed dormancy phenomena. Tree seeds show some of the most pronounced and complicated forms of dormancy in the plant kingdom. Many seeds are deeply physiologically dormant whatever their moisture level and age. However, dormancy can usually be overcome by a cold or warm stratification for several months. The transition from seed dormancy to germination is a multi-step process. In combination with the availability of genome sequence data, proteomics has opened up enormous possibilities for identifying the total set of expressed proteins as well as expression changes during dormancy breaking. The proteomic approach used for analysis of dormancy breaking of tree seeds offers new data allowing better understanding of the mechanism of deep physiological dormancy. The results of proteomic studies on dormancy breaking and the presence of abscisic and gibberellic acids in tree seeds (beech Fagus sylvatica L., Norway maple Acer platanoides L. and sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus L.), help to explain this process better. Most of the changes in protein expression were observed at the end of stratification and in the germinated seeds. This is the most active period of dormancy breaking when seeds pass from the quiescent state to germination. The analysis of the proteins' function showed that the mechanism of seed dormancy breaking involves many processes. Energy metabolism, proteasome, transcription, protein synthesis, signal transduction and methionine metabolism proteins have a special importance.

Transcriptomic changes during tuber dormancy release process revealed by RNA sequencing in potato

“…As a dynamic process, dormancy release impacted numerous physiological processes including carbohydrate metabolism, protein metabolism, lipid metabolism, transport process, phytohormone metabolism, stress response and redox regulation, cell organization, development, second metabolism and cell wall metabolism, these common metabolic processes involved in plant seeds dormancy release were confirmed in earlier publications (Pawłowski, 2007(Pawłowski, , 2010Sreenivasulu et al, 2008;He et al, 2011;Yu et al, 2014). Therefore, the differentially expressed genes identified by RNA-seq during tuber dormancy release could be discussed with other plant models.…”

Plant development reprogramming by cynipid gall wasp: proteomic analysis

“…The proteomic approach is broadly used for the investigation of many developmental processes in plants (e.g., Pawłowski 2009Pawłowski , 2010Pawłowski and Staszak 2016). There are just a few research studies carried out on the molecular mechanism, especially at the proteomic level, associated with gall formation.…”

Signalling regulators of abscisic and gibberellic acid pathways are involved in dormancy breaking of Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) seeds

“…Tree species such as Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) (Pawłowski 2009;Staszak and Pawłowski 2014), sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) (Pawłowski and Staszak 2016) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) (Reyes et al 2006;Pawłowski 2007;Saavedra et al 2010) have been the objects of research concerning embryo dormancy, defined also as deep physiological dormancy (Finch-Savage and Leubner-Metzger 2006). Norway maple produces seeds that are deeply physiologically dormant (Pawłowski 2010). This species is categorised as orthodox according to seed storage behaviour and requires cold stratification lasting approximately 3 months for germination.…”