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.
Abstract
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.
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Abbreviations
- AI:
-
Aposporic initials
- MMC:
-
Megaspore mother cell
- PMC:
-
Pollen mother cell
- SERK:
-
Somatic embryogenesis receptor-like kinase
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, (CNPq) for the doctorate scholarship (141959/2006-1) for ADK and Research Fellowship for APM (305785/2008-7), and financial support—project 476332/2013-3; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa) (project 12.14.01.014.00.00) and Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Distrito Federal, (FAPDF)—Project 00193.0000039-99 for financial support. Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001. ADK thanks Larissa Arrais Guimarães for helpful advice on laboratory technical issues.
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Koehler, A.D., Irsigler, A.S.T., Carneiro, V.T.C. et al. SERK genes identification and expression analysis during somatic embryogenesis and sporogenesis of sexual and apomictic Brachiaria brizantha (Syn. Urochloa brizantha). Planta 252, 39 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-020-03443-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-020-03443-w