Exceptional Seed Longevity and Robust Growth: Ancient Sacred Lotus from China

An Arabidopsis ATP-Dependent, DEAD-Box RNA Helicase Loses Activity upon IsoAsp Formation but Is Restored by PROTEIN ISOASPARTYL METHYLTRANSFERASE

“…Orthodox seeds are capable of withstanding dehydration to ;5% moisture content fresh weight (Roberts, 1973), then entering a period of quiescence that can maintain viability for centuries in some species (Shen-Miller et al, 1995;Sallon et al, 2008). This capacity forms the basis of agriculture, allowing a portion of harvested seed to be retained to produce next season's crop.…”

Overexpression of Nelumbo nucifera metallothioneins 2a and 3 enhances seed germination vigor in Arabidopsis

“…), a primitive angiosperm (Les, Garvin & Wimpee 1991), is one of the oldest plants that have survived from the last ice age. 6 Sacred lotus seeds can be used as an excellent plant genetic resource for identification of genes controlling seed viability and vigor, particularly for exceptional seed quality (Shen-Miller et al 1995). Furthermore, the sacred lotus seeds also show great ability to survive under harsh environmental conditions, such as extremely high temperatures (Ding, Cheng & Song 2008) and -radiation (Shen-Miller et al 2002).…”

“…Expression of MT genes is increased after AA and oxidative stress treatments 5 The EST analysis showed that MT genes were one of the most abundant gene families in sacred lotus seeds, which are known for their astonishing seed viability (Shen-Miller et al 1995). To investigate the relationship between MTs and seed vigor, dry mature sacred lotus seeds were subjected to AA treatment (43°C for 72 h at 100% RH) which is used by seed technologists to assess seed vigor by a short exposure of 10 the seeds to elevated temperatures and 100% relative humidity.…”

PROTEIN l-ISOASPARTYL METHYLTRANSFERASE2 Is Differentially Expressed in Chickpea and Enhances Seed Vigor and Longevity by Reducing Abnormal Isoaspartyl Accumulation Predominantly in Seed Nuclear Proteins

“…Based on the occurrence of high PIMT activity in quiescent and germinating seeds, the role of PIMT in seed vigor and longevity has been suggested (Mudgett and Clarke, 1993). Additionally, PIMT activity was shown to associate with extreme seed longevity in sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera; Shen-Miller et al, 1995). Recently, PIMT1 (AtPIMT1) has been shown to be involved in seed longevity and germination vigor in Arabidopsis (Ogé et al, 2008), although the biological role and significance of PIMT2 still remain elusive.…”