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A Method for Characterizing Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis
Published on: August 4, 2017
Plastidial glycolysis in developing Arabidopsis embryos
Vasilios M E Andriotis1, Nicholas J Kruger, Marilyn J Pike
1Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
The New Phytologist
|December 17, 2009
Summary
Plastids in Arabidopsis embryos can perform glycolysis, but the cytosolic pathway is sufficient for oil accumulation. This suggests that transporters moving glycolytic intermediates are crucial for seed oil production.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Oilseed embryos synthesize fatty acids in plastids, utilizing carbon from sucrose.
- The glycolytic pathway is central to carbon metabolism, but its role in plastids during seed development is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of plastidial glycolysis in Arabidopsis embryo oil accumulation.
- To identify and characterize key enzymes (enolase and phosphoglyceromutase) involved in this pathway.
Main Methods:
- Gene identification and expression analysis of enolase (ENO) and phosphoglyceromutase (PGlyM) isoforms.
- Subcellular localization studies using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fusion proteins.
- Characterization of mutant Arabidopsis plants lacking specific plastidial isoforms.
Main Results:
- Identified ENO1 and PGLYM1 as the primary plastidial isoforms in developing Arabidopsis embryos.
- Mutants lacking plastidial ENO and PGlyM activities showed no reduction in seed oil content.
- Plastids possess the capacity for lower glycolysis, but cytosolic glycolysis alone supports oil production.
Conclusions:
- The cytosolic glycolytic pathway is sufficient for the carbon flux required for oil production in Arabidopsis embryos.
- Transporters facilitating the exchange of glycolytic intermediates between the cytosol and plastid stroma are critical for seed oil synthesis.
