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A novel role for histone methyltransferase KYP/SUVH4 in the control of Arabidopsis primary seed dormancy
Author(s) -
Zheng Jian,
Chen Fengying,
Wang Zhi,
Cao Hong,
Li Xiaoying,
Deng Xin,
Soppe Wim J. J.,
Li Yong,
Liu Yongxiu
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03969.x
Subject(s) - abscisic acid , dormancy , arabidopsis , biology , gibberellin , seed dormancy , mutant , germination , histone methyltransferase , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , histone , botany , genetics
Summary• Seed dormancy controls germination and plays a crucial role in the life cycle of plants. Chromatin modifications are involved in the regulation of seed dormancy; however, little is known about the underlying mechanism. • KYP/SUVH4 is required for histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation. Mutations in this gene cause increased seed dormancy. KYP/SUVH4‐ overexpressing Arabidopsis plants show decreased dormancy. KYP/SUVH4 expression is regulated by abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GA). The sensitivity of seed germination to ABA and paclobutrazol (PAC) is enhanced slightly in kryptonite‐2 ( kyp‐2 ) and suvh4‐2/suvh5 mutants, but weakened in KYP/SUVH4‐ overexpressing plants. • In the kyp‐2 mutant, several dormancy‐related genes, including DOG1 and ABI3, show increased expression levels, in agreement with a negative role for KYP/SUVH4 in gene transcription. • Genetic analysis showed that DOG1 and HUB1 are epistatic to KYP/SUVH4 , suggesting that these genes regulate seed dormancy in the same genetic pathway.