Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are increasingly recognized as non-enzymatic players in the processes of radicle elongation growth and endosperm weakening during seed germination. NADPH oxidases (EC 1.6.3.1), also known as respiratory burst oxidase homologues (Rbohs), are key enzymes for the production of ROS. We previously reported that ROS are involved in the radicle elongation growth and endosperm weakening during lettuce seed germination. However, the function of the gene(s) encoding Rbohs during lettuce seed germination remains to be elucidated. In this study, one lettuce Rboh gene LsRbohC1 was cloned, and over-expression and RNAi-lines of this gene were generated. It was found that LsRbohC1 was abundantly expressed in germinating seeds, especially in the endosperm cap and hypocotyl. Over-expression/knock-down of this gene observably increased/decreased the production of superoxide radicals in the radicle and endosperm cap, and significantly promoted/delayed the germination process. The results suggest that LsRbohC1 plays a role in lettuce seed germination.

活性氧（ROS）越来越被认为是种子萌发过程中胚根伸长生长和胚乳弱化过程中的非酶参与者。 NADPH 氧化酶 (EC 1.6.3.1) 也称为呼吸爆发氧化酶同系物 (Rbohs)，是产生 ROS 的关键酶。我们之前报道过，ROS参与生菜种子萌发过程中的胚根伸长生长和胚乳弱化。然而，编码 Rbohs 的基因在生菜种子萌发过程中的功能仍有待阐明。本研究克隆了一个生菜Rboh基因LsRbohC1 ，并产生了该基因的过表达系和RNAi系。研究发现， LsRbohC1在发芽种子中大量表达，特别是在胚乳帽和下胚轴中。该基因的过度表达/敲除显着增加/减少了胚根和胚乳帽中超氧自由基的产生，并显着促进/延迟了发芽过程。结果表明 LsRbohC1 在生菜种子萌发中发挥作用。