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Differentially expressed genes associated with dormancy or germination of Arabidopsis thaliana seeds

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Abstract

Differential display analysis using dormant and non-dormant Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh seeds resulted in a set of genes that were associated with either dormancy or germination. Expression of the germination-associated genes AtRPL36B and AtRPL27B, encoding two ribosomal proteins, was undetectable in the dry seed, low in dormant seed, and high under conditions that allowed completion of germination. Expression of these genes was also found to be light-regulated and to correlate with germination speed. Expression of the dormancy-associated genes ATS2 and ATS4, encoding a caleosin-like protein and a protein similar to a low-temperature-induced protein respectively, was high in the dry seed and decreased during germination. Expression of ATS2 and ATS4 was high in primary and secondary dormant seed but low in after-ripened or chilled seed. The expression of both genes was also light-regulated, but no relationship with temperature-dependent germination speed was found.

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Abbreviations

ABA:

Abscisic acid

GA:

Gibberellic acid

Ler:

Ecotype Landsberg erecta

Cvi:

Ecotype Cape Verde Islands

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Acknowledgements

Cvi seeds were a kind gift from Prof. Maarten Koornneef of the Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University, The Netherlands. We thank Ronny Joosen, Plant Research International, The Netherlands, who was more than helpful with advice concerning molecular techniques. We gratefully acknowledge the suggestions made by an anonymous reviewer, who helped to improve the quality of this manuscript. This work was supported by the European Community (Fisheries, Agriculture, and Agro-Industrial project grant no. CT97-3711 ‘Genetic and molecular markers for seed quality’).

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Author notes

  1. Peter E. Toorop

    Present address: Seed Conservation Department, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place, Selsfield Road, Ardingly, West Sussex, RH17 6TN, UK

  2. Gilbert Engler

    Present address: Department for Plant Health and the Environment, INRA, 06606, Antibes, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Wageningen University, Arboretumlaan 4, 6703, BD Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Peter E. Toorop & Henk W. M. Hilhorst

  2. Department of Plant Systems Biology, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium

    Rosa Maria Barroco

  3. Laboratoire Associé de l’Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Gilbert Engler

  4. Plant Research International, P.O. Box 16, 6700, AA Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Steven P. C. Groot

Authors
  1. Peter E. Toorop
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  2. Rosa Maria Barroco
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  3. Gilbert Engler
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  4. Steven P. C. Groot
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  5. Henk W. M. Hilhorst
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Correspondence to Peter E. Toorop.

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Toorop, P.E., Barroco, R.M., Engler, G. et al. Differentially expressed genes associated with dormancy or germination of Arabidopsis thaliana seeds. Planta 221, 637–647 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-004-1477-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-004-1477-1

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