title: Down-regulation of the cotton endo-1,4-β-glucanase gene KOR1 disrupts endosperm cellularization, delays embryo development, and reduces early seedling vigour.
abstract: Towards the aim of examining the potential function of KORRIGAN (KOR), a highly conserved membrane-bound endoglucanase, in reproductive development, here transgenic evidence is provided that a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) endoglucanase, GhKOR1, plays significant roles in endosperm and embryo development. RNA interference (RNAi)- and co-suppression-mediated down-regulation of GhKOR1 resulted in smaller filial tissue and reduced seed weight, which were characterized by disrupted endosperm cellularization and delayed embryo development, leading to a delayed germination and a weak growth of seedlings early in development. The transgenic seeds exhibited fewer and smaller endosperm cells with irregular and brittle cell walls, and their embryos developed only to the globular stage at 10 days post-anthesis (DPA) when the wild-type endosperm has become highly cellularized and the embryo has progressed to the heart stage. The transgenic seed also displayed a significant reduction of callose in the seed coat transfer cells and reduced cellulose content both in the seed coat and in mature fibres. These findings demonstrate that GhKOR1 is required for the developmental of both seed filial and maternal tissues and the establishment of seedling vigour.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Cotton Research Institute, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia Australia-China Research Centre for Crop Improvement, the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
authors: Xiaoguang
authors: X
authors: Shang
authors: State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Cotton Research Institute, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors: Qichao
authors: Q
authors: Chai
authors: State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Cotton Research Institute, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors: Qinghu
authors: Q
authors: Zhang
authors: College of Bioscience and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China.
authors: Jianxiong
authors: J
authors: Jiang
authors: State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Cotton Research Institute, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
authors: Tianzhen
authors: T
authors: Zhang
authors: State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Cotton Research Institute, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China Yong-Ling.Ruan@newcastle.edu.au moelab@njau.edu.cn.
authors: Wangzhen
authors: W
authors: Guo
authors: School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia Australia-China Research Centre for Crop Improvement, the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia Yong-Ling.Ruan@newcastle.edu.au moelab@njau.edu.cn.
authors: Yong-Ling
authors: YL
authors: Ruan
mesh_terms: D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D002480:Cellulase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation; D056625:Endosperm / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018525:Germination; D003368:Gossypium / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D036226:Seedlings / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012639:Seeds / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D002480:Cellulase
keywords: 4-β-glucanase; Cell wall formation; cotton fibre; endo-1; endosperm; seed development; seedling vigour.