Identification of genes related to seed longevity in arabidopsis thaliana using genomic molecular techniques

• Autores: Joan Renard Meseguer
• Directores de la Tesis: José Gadea Vacas (dir. tes.), Eduardo Bueso Ródenas (dir. tes.)
• Lectura: En la Universitat Politècnica de València ( España ) en 2021
• Idioma: español
• Tribunal Calificador de la Tesis: Juan Bautista Jordano Fraga (presid.), Cristina Ferrandiz Maestre (secret.), Antonio Heredia Bayona (voc.)
• Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Biotecnología por la Universitat Politècnica de València
• Enlaces
  • Tesis en acceso abierto en: RiuNet
• Resumen

  • Seed longevity, or period that seeds remain viable, is important for biodiversity conservation, agriculture and economy. In addition, the study of this parameter could ease the knowledge about molecular mechanisms common to all organisms to prevent aging. One of the main strategies of seeds to reduce their aging consists to stop their metabolism, through drying. Other molecular mechanisms to avoid damages are the isolation from the environment with the seed coat, and the production of antioxidants and other molecules to avoid oxidative damage, one of the main seed aging causes. Repair mechanisms relieve part of the accumulated damage. The model plant Arabidopsis thaliana provides the opportunity to carry out genomic studies for the research of, in this case, seed longevity to discover determinant genetic factors and molecular mechanisms. This will serve to better understand seed deterioration processes and it will be key to increase seed longevity.

    Using natural genotyped varieties of Arabidopsis thaliana and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) followed by reverse genetic studies, 12 new genes related to seed longevity have been identified. They are related to embryo protection, oxidative damage control, and seed coat permeability. Seed coat development is determined by transcription factors. Mutant plants in some transcription factors involved in the seed coat development present altered seed longevity. The over-expression of the transcription factors AtHB25 and COG1 resulted in seeds with increased longevity due to an increased lipid polyester deposition. These lipid polyesters barriers are the cuticle, formed by cutin, and the suberin layer. Both participate positively in the embryo protection from the external environment. Genomic studies of both transcription factors have revealed that AtHB25 directly regulates biosynthetic enzymes of suberin and cutin monomers, and COG1 regulates the expression of enzymes related to the polymerization of lipid polyesters and lignin.

    The regulation involving AtHB25 is crucial due to the high conservation of genomic sequences and functions of AtHB25 in angiosperms, and it seems to be involved in the response to low temperatures. On the other hand, COG1, which is involved in light perception, regulates part of the development of the external integument through its regulation by AP2, a key factor in establishing the tissue identity of this seed coat integument, where suberin is located. AtHB25 and COG1 are involved in seed longevity adaptation through environmental signals such as temperature and light, respectively, regulating lipid polyesters deposition.