1. Complex control of seed germination timing by ERF50 involves RGL2 antagonism and negative feedback regulation of DOG1.
- Author
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Carrera-Castaño G, Mira S, Fañanás-Pueyo I, Sánchez-Montesino R, Contreras Á, Weiste C, Dröge-Laser W, Gómez L, and Oñate-Sánchez L
- Subjects
- Time Factors, Protein Binding, Germination genetics, Arabidopsis Proteins metabolism, Arabidopsis Proteins genetics, Gene Expression Regulation, Plant, Arabidopsis genetics, Arabidopsis physiology, Arabidopsis growth & development, Transcription Factors metabolism, Transcription Factors genetics, Feedback, Physiological, Seeds growth & development, Seeds physiology, Seeds genetics, Plant Dormancy genetics
- Abstract
Seed dormancy governs germination timing, with both evolutionary and applied consequences. Despite extensive studies on the hormonal and genetic control of these processes, molecular mechanisms directly linking dormancy and germination remain poorly understood. By screening a collection of lines overexpressing Arabidopsis transcription factors, we identified ERF50 as a key gene to control dormancy and germination. To study its regulation, we measured seed-related physiological parameters in loss-of-function mutants and carried out transactivation, protein interaction and ChIP-PCR analyses. We found direct ERF50-mediated repression of DOG1 and activation of EXPA2 transcription, which results in enhanced seed germination. Although ERF50 expression is increased by DOG1 in dormant seeds, ERF50 germination-promoting activity is blocked by RGL2. The physiological, genetic and molecular evidence gathered here supports that ERF50 controls germination timing by regulating DOG1 levels to leverage its role as enhancer of seed germination, via RGL2 antagonism on EXPA2 expression. Our results highlight the central role of ERF50 as a feedback regulator to couple and fine-tune seed dormancy and germination., (© 2024 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2024 New Phytologist Foundation.)
- Published
- 2024
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