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Obtaining High-Quality Transcriptome Data from Cereal Seeds by a Modified Method for Gene Expression Profiling
Published on: May 21, 2020
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Proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in the developing wheat seed coat investigated by chemical and RNA-Seq analysis
Simon P Vaughan1, John M Baker1, Lucia F Primavesi1
1Rothamsted Research Harpenden UK.
Plant Direct
|October 18, 2022
Summary
Proanthocyanidins in wheat seeds are composed of catechin and gallocatechin. Their chain length increases during development, potentially causing insolubility in mature grains.
Area of Science:
- Plant biochemistry
- Molecular genetics
- Agricultural science
Background:
- Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are complex flavonoids found in wheat grain testa.
- Understanding PA biosynthesis is crucial for improving wheat quality and health benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the composition and structure of proanthocyanidins in bread wheat testa.
- To identify genes involved in PA biosynthesis using near-isogenic lines.
Main Methods:
- Thiolysis of PA oligomers to determine monomer composition.
- RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) and differential gene expression analysis.
- Comparison of red- and white-grained near-isogenic wheat lines.
Main Results:
- Wheat PA composition includes (+)-catechin and some (+)-gallocatechin.
- PA chain length increases during grain development, correlating with insolubility.
- Several genes, including phenylalanine ammonia lyase and flavonoid 3',5'-hydroxylase, showed higher expression in red wheat.
Conclusions:
- PA accumulation and structural changes occur during wheat grain development.
- The R gene likely regulates PA biosynthesis through MYB transcription factors.
- Identified candidate genes provide insights into flavonoid biosynthesis pathways in wheat.
