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Most of the transcription factors (TFs) responsible for controlling seed development are not yet known. To identify TF genes expressed at specific stages of seed development, including those unique to seeds, we used Affymetrix GeneChips to profile Arabidopsis genes active in seeds from fertilization through maturation and at other times of the plant life cycle. Seed gene sets were compared with those expressed in prefertilization ovules, germinating seedlings, and leaves, roots, stems, and floral buds of the mature plant. Most genes active in seeds are shared by all stages of seed development, although significant quantitative changes in gene activity occur. Each stage of seed development has a small gene set that is either specific at the level of the GeneChip or up-regulated with respect to genes active at other stages, including those that encode TFs. We identified 289 seed-specific genes, including 48 that encode TFs. Seven of the seed-specific TF genes are known regulators of seed development and include the LEAFY COTYLEDON (LEC) genes LEC1, LEC1-LIKE, LEC2, and FUS3. The rest represent different classes of TFs with unknown roles in seed development. Promoter-[beta]-glucuronidase (GUS) fusion experiments and seed mRNA localization GeneChip datasets showed that the seed-specific TF genes are active in different compartments and tissues of the seed at unique times of development. Collectively, these seed-specific TF genes should facilitate the identification of regulatory networks that are important for programming seed development. embryo | transcriptome | mRNA localization doi/ 10.1073/pnas.1003530107

The B3 domain protein LEAFY COTYLEDON2 (LEC2) is required for several aspects of embryogenesis, including the maturation phase, and is sufficient to induce somatic embryo development in vegetative cells. Here, we demonstrate that LEC2 directly controls a transcriptional program involved in the maturation phase of seed development. Induction of LEC2 activity in seedlings causes rapid accumulation of RNAs normally present primarily during the maturation phase. Several RNAs encode proteins with known roles in maturation processes, including seed-storage and lipid-body proteins. Clustering analyses identified other LEC2-induced RNAs not previously shown to be involved in the maturation phase. We show further that genes encoding these maturation RNAs all possess in their 5' flanking regions RY motifs, DNA elements bound by other closely related B3 domain transcription factors. Our finding that recombinant LEC2 specifically binds RY motifs from the 5' flanking regions of LEC2-induced genes provides strong evidence that these genes represent transcriptional targets of LEC2. Although these LEC2-induced RNAs accumulate primarily during the maturation phase, we show that a subset, including AGL 15 and IAA30, accumulate in seeds containing zygotes. We discuss how identification of LEC2 target genes provides a potential link between the roles of LEC2 in the maturation phase and in the induction of somatic embryogenesis.