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Updated: May 14, 2026
07:18
Obtaining High-Quality Transcriptome Data from Cereal Seeds by a Modified Method for Gene Expression Profiling
Published on: May 21, 2020
Transcriptomic Profiling Reveals the Seed Aging Process in Elymus sibiricus, a Dominant Alpine Grass.
Ming Sun1, Li Wang1, Xinchao Sun2
1College of Life Sciences and Agri-Forestry, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 13, 2026
Summary
Seed aging in Elymus sibiricus leads to vigor loss, driven by metabolic and signaling pathway changes. Key transcription factors WRKY24, ARF9, and ARF19 coordinate redox balance to maintain seed longevity.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Agronomy
Background:
- Seed aging is a critical process reducing seed vigor, impacting germplasm conservation and agricultural productivity.
- Understanding seed aging mechanisms is vital for improving crop storage and yield, especially in forage grasses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms of seed aging in *Elymus sibiricus*, a key forage species.
- To identify regulatory networks and candidate genes involved in seed vigor loss during aging.
Main Methods:
- Artificial accelerated aging of seeds followed by physiological evaluation.
- Transcriptomic analysis (RNA sequencing) and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA).
- Identification of hub transcription factors and their potential target genes.
Main Results:
- Seed vigor and germination declined significantly with aging, accompanied by widespread transcriptional changes.
- Pyruvate metabolism, MAPK signaling, and peroxisome pathways were linked to vigor loss.
- Heat shock proteins and glutathione metabolism genes were co-expressed, suggesting a role in viability.
- WRKY24, ARF9, and ARF19 were identified as key transcription factors regulating antioxidant defense and ROS homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- WRKY and ARF transcription factors coordinate redox homeostasis and hormone signaling to control seed longevity in *E. sibiricus*.
- This study provides a systems-level understanding of seed aging in perennial grasses.
- Identified genetic targets offer potential for enhancing seed storability and supporting grassland sustainability.
