Gene Regulatory Networks in Seed Development

Seed development in flowering plants is governed by intricate gene regulatory networks that coordinate embryogenesis, endosperm formation, maturation and the onset of dormancy. Central to these networks are transcription factors such as the LAFL quartet (LEC1, ABI3, FUS3 and LEC2) which activate programmes of storage reserve accumulation, desiccation tolerance and dormancy induction. These activators are finely balanced by repressors, including VAL proteins, and further modulated by microRNAs, chromatin remodellers and hormonal signals. Phytohormones—auxin, abscisic acid and gibberellin—provide positional and temporal cues, integrating external and internal stimuli into developmental decisions. Advances in high-throughput transcriptomics and proteomics have revealed dynamic changes in gene expression across seed compartments, uncovering feedback loops between embryo and endosperm that ensure coherent progression through developmental phases. This regulatory circuitry underpins seed viability, vigour and germination potential, with profound implications for crop improvement and food security.

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Gene Regulatory Networks in Seed Development publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in gene regulatory networks in seed development across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Gene regulatory network: A collection of genes, transcription factors and non-coding RNAs that interact to control gene expression patterns during development.

Transcription factor: A protein that binds specific DNA sequences to activate or repress transcription of target genes.

microRNA: A short non-coding RNA molecule that downregulates gene expression by targeting mRNAs for degradation or translational repression.

RNA-Seq: A high-throughput sequencing technique used to quantify and characterise the complete set of RNA transcripts in a sample.

B3 domain: A plant-specific DNA-binding domain found in transcription factors such as FUS3 and ABI3, crucial for recognising RY elements in seed maturation gene promoters.

References

1. Identification of Direct Targets of FUSCA3, a Key Regulator of Arabidopsis Seed Development. Plant Physiology (2013).
2. Using RNA-Seq to Profile Soybean Seed Development from Fertilization to Maturity. PLOS ONE (2013).
3. The rice GERMINATION DEFECTIVE 1, encoding a B3 domain transcriptional repressor, regulates seed germination and seedling development by integrating GA and carbohydrate metabolism. The Plant Journal (2013).