Roles of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Unfolded Protein Response Associated Genes in Seed Stratification and Bud Endodormancy during Chilling Accumulation in Prunus persica

Abstract

Dormancy mechanisms in seeds and buds arrest growth until environmental conditions are optimal for development. A genotype-specific period of chilling is usually required to release dormancy, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. To discover transcriptional pathways associated with dormancy release common to seed stratification and bud endodormancy, we explored the chilling-dependent expression of 11 genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response signal pathways. We propose that endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response impact on seed as well as bud germination and development by chilling-dependent mechanisms. The emerging discovery of similarities between seed stratification and bud endodormancy status indicate that these two processes are probably regulated by common endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response signalling pathways. Clarification of regulatory pathways common to both seed and bud dormancy may enhance understanding of the mechanisms underlying dormancy and breeding programs may benefit from earlier prediction of chilling requirements for uniform blooming of novel genotypes of deciduous fruit tree species.

Comparing Genetic Mechanisms of Bud Chilling Fulfillment and Seed Cold Stratification: A Role for Peach (Prunus persica)?

“…Two studies have examined parallel gene expression in stratifying seeds and chilling exposed buds and found a host of genes that have common expression patterns which support the hypothesis of common gene regulatory events during chilling accumulation (Leida et al 2012;Fu et al 2014). Leida et al (2012) examined the effect of different levels of stratification on expression of the 'dwarfing' growth inhibition phenotype in peach seeds and correlated this symptom with the expression of several genes also identified as differentially expressed during the endodormant to ecodormant transition in flower buds.…”

“…Another study has demonstrated the similarity in expression of genes between endodormant buds and seeds during chilling accumulation (Fu et al 2014). Fu et al (2014) propose a role for stress responsive endoplasmic reticulum genes during the accumulation of chilling and release from dormancy.…”

“…Fu et al (2014) propose a role for stress responsive endoplasmic reticulum genes during the accumulation of chilling and release from dormancy. While the role of the featured genes in dormancy regulation remains to be determined, the examination of gene expression patterns in both buds and seeds highlighted a remarkable level of parallel expression dynamics of the selected genes during the two physiological events.…”

“…While the role of the featured genes in dormancy regulation remains to be determined, the examination of gene expression patterns in both buds and seeds highlighted a remarkable level of parallel expression dynamics of the selected genes during the two physiological events. Studies from these two groups demonstrate that peach is a system that lends itself to molecular and genetic comparisons between dormant buds and seeds (Leida et al 2012;Fu et al 2014).…”

Biological Quasicrystals and the Golden Mean: Relevance to Quantum Computation

“…This was shown by chilling-induced expression of 11 genes involved in these processes (Fu et al, 2014). Ribosomes connect to the rough endoplasmic reticulum through a defined binding site (Bernabeau and Lake 1982) and are important in plant development.…”