Andréa D Koehler1,2,3, André S T Irsigler2, Vera T C Carneiro2, Glaucia B Cabral2, Júlio C M Rodrigues2, Ana Cristina M M Gomes2, Roberto C Togawa2, Marcos M C Costa2, Adriana Pinheiro Martinelli4, Diva Maria de Alencar Dusi5. 1. University of Sao Paulo, CENA, Av. Centenario 303, Piracicaba, SP, 13416-903, Brazil. 2. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Cx.Postal 02372, Brasília, DF, 70770-917, Brazil. 3. , Linhares, Brazil. 4. University of Sao Paulo, CENA, Av. Centenario 303, Piracicaba, SP, 13416-903, Brazil. adriana@cena.usp.br. 5. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Cx.Postal 02372, Brasília, DF, 70770-917, Brazil. diva.dusi@embrapa.br.
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION: In Brachiaria brizantha BbrizSERK1, BbrizSERK2 and BbrizSERK3 were identified. SERK expression marks somatic embryogenesis, sexual MMC, and sexual and apomictic PMC. BbrizSERK3 might have a regulatory role in reproductive development. Somatic embryogenesis receptor-like kinase (SERK) consists of plasma membrane receptor genes that have been characterized in various species, associated with several aspects of plant development, including reproduction. SERK genes are involved in anther development and in early embryo development in sexual and asexual seed formation. To comprehend the complexity of the SERK genes and their function in Brachiaria reproduction, we performed a homology-based search in a genomic database of a sexual B. brizantha and identified sequences of three SERK genes, BbrizSERK1, BbrizSERK2, and BbrizSERK3. RNASeq data showed equivalent abundance of BbrizSERK1 and BbrizSERK2 transcripts in ovaries at early megasporogenesis of sexuals and apomicts, while BbrizSERK3 transcripts were more abundant in ovaries of sexuals than in apomicts. BbrizSERK3 results in three coding sequences due to alternative splicing, among them Variant 1 results in a protein with all the predicted domains of a SERK. BbrizSERK transcripts were detected in male reproductive tissues of both sexual and apomictic plants, suggesting a role in controlling anther development. BbrizSERK transcripts were detected early in ovule development, in the integuments, and in the megaspore mother cell of the sexual plant, but not in the cells that give rise to apomictic embryo sacs, suggesting a role in female reproductive development of sexuals. This paper provides evidences that SERK genes plays a role in the onset and establishment of somatic embryogenesis and in the reproductive development of B. brizantha and suggests a distinct role of BbrizSERK in apomixis initiation.
MAIN CONCLUSION: In Brachiaria brizantha BbrizSERK1, BbrizSERK2 and BbrizSERK3 were identified. SERK expression marks somatic embryogenesis, sexual MMC, and sexual and apomictic PMC. BbrizSERK3 might have a regulatory role in reproductive development. Somatic embryogenesis receptor-like kinase (SERK) consists of plasma membrane receptor genes that have been characterized in various species, associated with several aspects of plant development, including reproduction. SERK genes are involved in anther development and in early embryo development in sexual and asexual seed formation. To comprehend the complexity of the SERK genes and their function in Brachiaria reproduction, we performed a homology-based search in a genomic database of a sexual B. brizantha and identified sequences of three SERK genes, BbrizSERK1, BbrizSERK2, and BbrizSERK3. RNASeq data showed equivalent abundance of BbrizSERK1 and BbrizSERK2 transcripts in ovaries at early megasporogenesis of sexuals and apomicts, while BbrizSERK3 transcripts were more abundant in ovaries of sexuals than in apomicts. BbrizSERK3 results in three coding sequences due to alternative splicing, among them Variant 1 results in a protein with all the predicted domains of a SERK. BbrizSERK transcripts were detected in male reproductive tissues of both sexual and apomictic plants, suggesting a role in controlling anther development. BbrizSERK transcripts were detected early in ovule development, in the integuments, and in the megaspore mother cell of the sexual plant, but not in the cells that give rise to apomictic embryo sacs, suggesting a role in female reproductive development of sexuals. This paper provides evidences that SERK genes plays a role in the onset and establishment of somatic embryogenesis and in the reproductive development of B. brizantha and suggests a distinct role of BbrizSERK in apomixis initiation.
Authors: Andréa D Koehler; Mônica L Rossi; Vera T C Carneiro; Glaucia B Cabral; Adriana P Martinelli; Diva M A Dusi Journal: Protoplasma Date: 2022-08-10 Impact factor: 3.186
Authors: Sylvia Rodrigues da Silveira; Andréa Dias Koehler; Ana Cristina M Mendes Gomes; Glaucia Barbosa Cabral; Vera Tavares de Campos Carneiro; Diva Maria de Alencar Dusi; Adriana Pinheiro Martinelli Journal: Methods Mol Biol Date: 2022