title: AtNG1 encodes a protein that is required for seed germination.
abstract: The pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) family of eukaryotic proteins has numerous members in plants and is important for plant development. In the present study, we cloned a novel PPR gene, designated AtNG1, and characterized the ng1 Arabidopsis mutant. Morphological and structural observation of an ng1 mutant revealed that its sexual reproduction and seed formation processes are essentially normal. The mature embryonic root of ng1 is fully developed and has a well-differentiated structure; however, ng1 seeds cannot germinate, even when supplied with supplemental hormones and nutrition. Further investigation showed that embryo expansion and root cell elongation fails to occur after water imbibitions. Transient gene expression analysis indicated that AtNG1 localizes in mitochondrion. This implies that the deficiency of mitochondrion function might be the reason for the failed seed germination. Thus, our finding confirmed that AtNG1 plays a critical role in the early process of seed germination.
authors: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, College of Life Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors: Libo
authors: L
authors: Yang
authors: Xiongbo
authors: X
authors: Peng
authors: Meng-xiang
authors: MX
authors: Sun
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D018525:Germination / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D019697:Onions / Q000166:cytology; D020449:Repetitive Sequences, Amino Acid; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; C568889:NG1 protein, Arabidopsis