Compartment-specific gene regulatory networks controlling seed development

发育的潜在机制之一是通过编码转录因子(TF)的基因在特定时间和地点的局部表达。用传统的遗传方法鉴定油菜等油菜等油菜生长发育所必需的转铁蛋白基因一直受到限制。了解控制种子发育的转录机制将很有可能为解决这一问题提供必要的见解。油菜籽如油菜籽和拟南芥的生长依赖于胚胎、胚乳和种皮的协调发展。与胚胎和胚乳不同，种皮在理解其功能的机制方面受到的关注很少。例如，近端种皮的功能尚不清楚，它由合点点增殖组织和合点点种皮组成。然而，组织学观察表明，由于转移细胞的形态，转移细胞具有运输功能。此外，该组织的快速分化使其成为研究细胞分化的理想候选者。我的研究计划的长期目标是了解种皮发育的各个方面。我将在短期内将我的注意力集中在近端区域，包括合点增生组织和合点点种皮间隔。我的研究计划的具体目标是：1.研究拟南芥合点端增殖组织的结构与功能关系；2.鉴定拟南芥和油菜种子发育所必需的近端种皮因子；3.鉴定和验证近端种皮内的基因调控网络。在短期内，我将继续使用拟南芥来实现这些目标，因为在将这些知识转化为油菜籽之前，它是一个经过验证的发育和遗传模型系统。以更定向、更具体的方式促进种子生长应导致种子产量的增加，并最终提高粮食产量，这仍然是加拿大现代农业的一个主要目标。

One of the underlying mechanisms of development is through the localized expression of genes encoding transcription factors (TFs) at specific times and places. Identification of TF genes that are essential for growth and development of oilseed crops such as canola (Brassica napus) by conventional genetic approaches has been limiting. Understanding the transcriptional mechanisms that control seed development in the closely related model species Arabidopsis thaliana (Brassicaceae family) will very likely provide the insight necessary to solve this issue. Growth of oilseeds like canola and Arabidopsis relies on the coordinated development of the embryo, endosperm and seed coat. Unlike the embryo and the endosperm the seed coat has received little attention when it comes to understanding the mechanisms that underlie its function. For example, the function of the proximal seed coat, which comprises the chalazal proliferating tissue and chalazal seed coat is unknown. However, histological observations suggest a transport function due to transfer cell morphology. Further, the rapid differentiation of this tissue makes it an ideal candidate to study cell differentiation. The long term goal of my research program is to understand all aspects of seed coat development. I will focus my attention for the shorter term towards the proximal region which includes the chalazal proliferating tissue and the chalazal seed coat compartments. The specific objectives of my research program are 1. Examine the structure-function relationship of the chalazal proliferating tissue in Arabidopsis 2. Characterize proximal seed coat TFs essential for seed development in both Arabidopsis and canola, and 3. Identify and validate gene-regulatory networks operating within the proximal seed coat. In the short term, I will continue to use Arabidopsis to achieve these goals since it is a proven developmental and genetic model system before translating this knowledge into canola. Enhancing seed growth in a more directed compartment-specific manner should lead to an increase in seed yield and ultimately food production which remains a primary objective in modern Canadian agriculture.