Journal Article

Combined transcriptome and proteome analysis reveal the key physiological processes in seed germination stimulated by decreased salinity in the seagrass Zostera marina L

Wang, Xinhua, Yue, Shidong, Zhang, Yu, Zhou, Yi, Liu, Mingjie, Zhang, Xiaomei, Xu, Shaochun

2023

Overview

Background Zostera marina L., or eelgrass, is the most widespread seagrass species throughout the temperate northern hemisphere. Unlike the dry seeds of terrestrial plants, eelgrass seeds must survive in water, and salinity is the key factor influencing eelgrass seed germination. In the present study, transcriptome and proteome analysis were combined to investigate the mechanisms via which eelgrass seed germination was stimulated by low salinity, in addition to the dynamics of key metabolic pathways under germination. Results According to the results, low salinity stimulated the activation of Ca 2+ signaling and phosphatidylinositol signaling, and further initiated various germination-related physiological processes through the MAPK transduction cascade. Starch, lipids, and storage proteins were mobilized actively to provide the energy and material basis for germination; abscisic acid synthesis and signal transduction were inhibited whereas gibberellin synthesis and signal transduction were activated, weakening seed dormancy and preparing for germination; cell wall weakening and remodeling processes were activated to provide protection for cotyledon protrusion; in addition, multiple antioxidant systems were activated to alleviate oxidative stress generated during the germination process; ERF transcription factor has the highest number in both stages suggested an active role in eelgrass seed germination. Conclusion In summary, for the first time, the present study investigated the mechanisms by which eelgrass seed germination was stimulated by low salinity and analyzed the transcriptomic and proteomic features during eelgrass seed germination comprehensively. The results of the present study enhanced our understanding of seagrass seed germination, especially the molecular ecology of seagrass seeds.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Abscisic acid / Agriculture / Analysis / Antioxidants / Aquatic plants / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biosynthesis / calcium / Calcium ions / Calcium signalling / Carbohydrates / Cell walls / Cellular signal transduction / cotyledons / Dormancy / ecology / energy / Evaluation / Fatty acids / Gene expression / Genomics / Germination / Gibberellins / Growth / Identification and classification / Life Sciences / Lipids / Low-salinity stimulation / MAP kinase / Metabolic pathways / Metabolism / Northern Hemisphere / Oxidative stress / Phosphatidylinositol / Physiological aspects / Physiology / Plant Sciences / Proteins / proteome / Proteomes / Proteomics / Salinity / Salinity effects / Seagrass / Seagrasses / seed dormancy / Seed germination / Seeds / Signal transduction / species / starch / Storage proteins / Sucrose / Sugar / Synthesis / transcription factors / transcriptome / Transcriptome and proteome / Transcriptomes / Transcriptomics / Tree Biology / Trends / Zostera marina / Zostera marina L