Storage time affects the germination and proteomic profile of seeds of Cariniana legalis (Mart.) O. Kuntze (Lecythidaceae), an endangered tree species native to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract

Seed aging is a critical process during storage and plays an important role in maintaining seed vigor. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of seed storage on germination and the differential abundance of proteins associated with viability loss in Cariniana legalis (Mart.) O. Kuntze. Seeds were stored for 12 months at 6 °C in plastic bags. Analyses of germination were performed at time 0 (newly harvested seeds) and after 3, 6, and 12 months of storage. To identify differentially abundant proteins, two-dimensional electrophoresis was performed, followed by tandem mass spectrometric (MS/ MS) analysis. Germination, the germination speed index and the moisture content were significantly reduced during storage. Proteomic analysis revealed 50 differentially abundant proteins among the times analyzed; these proteins were classified into several functional classes related to the biological, metabolic, cellular, oxidation-reduction, carbohydrate metabolism, storage, aging, cell wall organization or biogenesis, response to stress and stimulus, and proteolysis categories. The correlation between seed aging and proteome changes suggests that specific proteins may be involved in the mechanisms underlying seed deterioration, including ferritin, seed maturation-like, 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase, 11S globulin, polygalacturonases, superoxide dismutase, heat shock proteins, and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). Our data showed that increasing storage time significantly reduced germination and revealed the regulation of differentially abundant proteins, which may be related to the reduction in seed viability in C. legalis.

Elucidation of the miR164c-Guided Gene/Protein Interaction Network Controlling Seed Vigor in Rice

“…However, data processing using the MERLIN algorithm involves complex steps and is time-consuming, and is therefore seldom used in omics studies ( Marx et al, 2016 ). Moreover, most of the previous omics studies on seed vigor focused mainly on the identification of specific genes or proteins, and rarely focused on gene/protein network analysis ( Daniel, 2017 ; Li et al, 2018 ; Aragão et al, 2019 ; Wei et al, 2020 ). In this study, an interaction network that describes the association between miR164c target genes and DEGs/DEPs was predicted by an integrative analysis using the MERLIN algorithm and String database ( Figure 9 ).…”

Changes in the proteomic and polyamine profile induced by seed aging of <i>Cariniana legalis</i> (Martius) O. Kuntze

“…Its propagation is commonly made by seeds (RÊGO, 2002). After dispersal, the C. legalis seeds can lose viability rapidly, even under controlled storage conditions at 4 -6°C (SOUSA et al, 2016;ARAGÃO et al, 2019). Due to the ecological relevance of this species, physiological and biochemical studies are essential for seed conservation.…”

“…The process of deterioration in seeds involves many metabolic changes, including the reduction of metabolic and stress response proteins (ARAGÃO et al, 2019;LERIN et al, 2021). In this context, the use of comparative proteomics research appears as an important tool for identification of specific proteins that can be related with the loss of seed viability.…”

“…During accelerated aging of seeds in Vigna mungo¸ the up-regulation of TU elongation factor (EF-TU) protein was correlated to an increase in germination, while, the down-regulation of actin protein was related to damage of cell membrane in aged seeds (SATHISH et al, 2015). Seeds of C. legalis stored during 12 months at 6°C showed a reduction in the accumulation of ferritin and superoxide dismutase proteins, related to protection against oxidative stress and damage of cellular components, being associated to the loss of seed viability (ARAGÃO et al, 2019).…”

An Endeavor of ‘Deep-underground Agriculture’: Deep-underground Storage in a Gold Mine Impacts the Germination of Canola (Brassica Napus L.) Seeds

“…We attribute this phenomenon to ambient temperature and RH (11.9°C and 30.3% at 0 m, respectively), which likely met the appropriate storage conditions for canola seed. Previous studies have indicated that 70% RH in the external environment (Aragão et al, 2019) and a temperature of 10°C-20°C in storage surroundings did not threaten canola seed quality (Sun et al, 2014). In addition, seeds are known to be viable for about 25-30 years when stored at − 3.5°C .…”