New Epigenetic Modifier Inhibitors Enhance Microspore Embryogenesis in Bread Wheat

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Agricultural Biotechnology
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Doubled haploid (DH) technology accelerates crop variety development.
• Microspore embryogenesis (ME) is a key process for producing DH plants.
• Epigenetic modifiers can enhance ME efficiency, but effective options for wheat are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To screen novel epigenetic modifiers for improving ME induction in wheat.
• To evaluate the efficacy of histone methylation and phosphorylation inhibitors.
• To identify compounds that increase DH plant production, particularly in challenging cultivars.

Main Methods:

• Screening of chaetocin, CARM1 inhibitor, aurora kinase inhibitor II (AUKI-II), and hesperadin in wheat ME.
• Comparing the effects of AUKI-II and trichostatin A (TSA) on embryogenic structure formation.
• Testing short and long application strategies of AUKI-II during mannitol stress.

Main Results:

• Chaetocin and AUKI-II increased embryogenic structures; AUKI-II outperformed TSA.
• AUKI-II application during prolonged stress enhanced chromosome doubling.
• 0.8 µM AUKI-II significantly increased green DH plants in a mid-low-responding cultivar.

Conclusions:

• AUKI-II is a promising epigenetic modifier for enhancing DH plant production in wheat.
• This study identifies new epigenetic modifiers for improving cellular reprogramming in plant breeding.
• Optimized application of AUKI-II can boost DH efficiency in recalcitrant wheat genotypes.