In situ expression of two storage protein genes in relation to histo-differentiation at mid-embryogenesis in Medicago truncatula and Pisum sativum seeds.
The seed consists of several layers of specialized cell-types that divide and differentiate following a highly regulated programme in time and space. A cytological approach was undertaken in order to study the histo-differentiation at mid-embryogenesis in Medicago truncatula as a model legume, and in Pisum sativum using serial sections of embedded immature seed. Little published information is available about seed development in Medicago species. The observations from this study revealed a number of distinctive features of Medicago seed development and differentiation. Transfer cells, involved in nutrient transfer to the embryo, were clearly identified in the thin-walled parenchyma of the innermost integument. Histological Schiff-naphthol enabled carbohydrate accumulation to be followed in the different seed compartments, and revealed the storage protein bodies. Non-radioactive mRNA in situ hybridization, was carried out using mRNA probes from two highly expressed genes encoding the major vicilin and legumin A storage protein types. The timing of mRNA expression was related to that of the corresponding proteins already identified.
Abirached-Darmency
M
M
INRA-URLEG, Unité de Recherche sur les Légumineuses, BP 86510, F-21065 Dijon Cedex, France. mona@epoisses.inra.fr
Abdel-gawwad
M R
MR
Conejero
G
G
Verdeil
J L
JL
Thompson
R
R
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D046913:Medicago truncatula / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018532:Pisum sativum / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D013213:Starch / Q000378:metabolism; D000097793:Legumins
D010940:Plant Proteins; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins; D013213:Starch; D000097793:Legumins; C015575:vicilin protein, plant