Reactive Oxygen Species-induced Protein Carbonylation Promotes Deterioration of Physiological Activity of Wheat Seeds

Abstract

During the seed aging process, reactive oxygen species (ROS) can induce the carbonylation of proteins, which changes their functional properties and affects seed vigor. However, the impact and regulatory mechanisms of protein carbonylation on wheat seed vigor are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the changes in wheat seed vigor, carbonyl protein content, ROS content and embryo cell structure during an artificial aging process, and we analyzed the correlation between protein carbonylation and seed vigor. During the artificial wheat-seed aging process, the activity levels of antioxidant enzymes and the contents of non-enzyme antioxidants decreased, leading to the accumulation of ROS and an increase in the carbonyl protein content, which ultimately led to a decrease in seed vigor, and there was a significant negative correlation between seed vigor and carbonyl protein content. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy showed that the contents of protein bodies in the embryo cells decreased remarkably. We postulate that during the wheat seed aging process, an imbalance in ROS production and elimination in embryo cells leads to the carbonylation of proteins, which plays a negative role in wheat seed vigor.

Recent progress in molecular genetics and omics-driven research in seed biology

“…In agreement, during the aging process in seeds, ROS were shown to induce the carbonylation of numerous proteins, which changes their functional properties and affects seed vigour. A recent work in wheat seeds disclosed the existence of a significant negative correlation between seed vigour and carbonyl protein content [210]. A similar behaviours was noted during long-term storage of beech seeds [218].…”

“…Studies carried out since 2010 illustrate that ROS and RNS are performing oxidative and nitrosative signalling to induce seed germination within an oxidative window level [201,[208][209][210]. ROS/RNSmediated post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as carbonylation, oxidation of the sulfur amino acids, S-nitrosylation and nitration can promote seed germination.…”

“…De même, il a été démontré que pendant le processus de vieillissement des graines, les ROS induisent la carbonylation de nombreuses protéines, ce qui modifie leurs propriétés fonctionnelles et affecte la vigueur des graines. Un travail récent sur les graines de blé a révélé l'existence d'une corrélation négative significative entre la vigueur des graines et la teneur en protéines carbonylées [210]. Un comportement similaire a été observé lors du stockage à long terme de graines de hêtre [218].…”

Comprehensive proteome and lysine acetylome analysis after artificial aging reveals the key acetylated proteins involved in wheat seed oxidative stress response and energy production

“…Take 200 g seeds and place them in an environment of 50°C and 55% relative humidity to artificially aging for 42 days, and the germination rate was 12%. At least three independent experiments were performed in the determination of germination rate (Li et al, 2022). Wheat seed artificially aged for 42 days (ZM 42 d) was the treatment, and seed without artificial aging treatment (ZM 0 days) was the control.…”

Kilning invokes oxidative changes in malt proteins

“…This may be due to a decomposition of carbonyl groups during roasting, eventually because these groups are incorporated into the melanoidin skeleton. A small extent of protein carbonylation can already be formed in the seedlings (up to 0.5 nmol/mg protein [32]). In barley seedlings, an increase in protein carbonylation was attributed to increasing levels of ROS during steeping [33].…”