Distinct developmental defense activations in barley embryos identified by transcriptome profiling.
Proper embryo development is crucial for normal growth and development of barley. Numerous related aspects of this process--for example how the embryo establishes and sustains disease resistance for extended periods during dormancy--remain largely unknown. Here we report the results of microarray analyses of >22,000 genes, which together with measurements of jasmonic acid and salicylic acid during embryo development provide new information on the initiation in the developing barley embryo of at least two distinct types of developmental defense activation (DDA). Early DDA is characterized by the up-regulation of a specific set of genes around 20 days after flowering, including co-regulation of those for encoding 9-lipoxygenase and several oxylipin-generating enzymes, possibly leading to the formation of alpha-ketols. The same developmental phase includes an up-regulation of several defense genes, and indications of co-regulation of those for enzymes involved in the generation of phenylpropanoid phytoalexins. Late DDA is initiated prior to grain desiccation, around 37 days after flowering, with up-regulation of several genes encoding proteins with roles in antioxidant responses as well as a simultaneous up-regulation of several PR genes is notable. Throughout barley embryo development, there are no indications of an increased biosynthesis of either jasmonic acid or salicylic acid. Collectively, the results help explain how the proposed DDA enables protection of the developing barley embryo and grain for purposes of disease resistance.
Nielsen
Mads Eggert
ME
Carlsberg Research Laboratory, DK-2500, Copenhagen, Denmark. mads.nielsen@crc.dk
Lok
Finn
F
Nielsen
Henrik Bjørn
HB
D002453:Cell Cycle; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000378:metabolism; D018744:DNA, Plant; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D001467:Hordeum / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D054883:Oxylipins; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D003517:Cyclopentanes; D018744:DNA, Plant; D005227:Fatty Acids; D054883:Oxylipins; D010940:Plant Proteins; C011006:jasmonic acid