The proprotein precursors of storage proteins are post-translationally processed to produce their respective mature forms within the protein storage vacuoles of maturing seeds. To investigate the processing mechanism in vivo, we isolated Arabidopsis mutants that accumulate detectable amounts of the precursors of the storage proteins, 12 S globulins and 2 S albumins, in their seeds. All six muta...

Introduction: In traditional medicine, pumpkin seeds are prescribed and used commonly as energetic and sexual enhancer substances. This study was planned and carried out in order to fill the gap caused by the lack of sufficient scientific evidence on the effect of this substance on oogenesis and hormone-pituitary-ovarian axis. Revealing the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of pumpkin seeds on ...

THE ECOLOGICAL RELEVANCE OF MATURATION DRYING DETERMINES DEHYDRIN EXPRESSION IN SEEDS In areas exhibiting typical seasonal changes, the seeds of most plants are getting mature in summer and fall, respectively. In order to prevent the destruction of the young and sensitive seedlings by the frosty winter conditions, any germination in fall has to be hindered. Accordingly, efficient outlasting mec...

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important post-transcriptional regulators of plant development and seed formation. In Brassica napus, an important edible oil crop, valuable lipids are synthesized and stored in specific seed tissues during embryogenesis. The miRNA transcriptome of B. napus is currently poorly characterized, especially at different seed developmental stages. This work aims to describe the...

Gene targeting (GT) via homologous recombination allows precise modification of a target gene of interest. In a previous study, we successfully used GT to produce rice plants accumulating high levels of free tryptophan (Trp) in mature seeds and young leaves via targeted modification of a gene encoding anthranilate synthase-a key enzyme of Trp biosynthesis. Here, we performed metabolome analysis...

Chitinase is often produced in higher plants as a general defence response after wounding or pathogenic attack. Since germinating seeds are exposed to soil pathogens, the activity and expression of chitinase in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) seeds was investigated. One acidic and three basic chitinase isoforms were detected, beginning 40 d after anthesis in developing and fully mature seeds. Both ...

In present investigation, the seeds of Helianthus annuus L. variety Modern were treated with nine different concentrations (0.05%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.25%, 1.50%, 1.75% and 2.00%) of caffeine to raise the M1 generation and the effect of caffeine on seedling height on 30 th day of sowing, mature plant height, days to maturity and yield parameters was observed. Generally, the lower dose...

We previously reported that an apparent water potential disequilibrium is maintained late in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) seed development between the embryo and the surrounding fruit tissue (mesocarp). To further investigate the basis of this phenomenon, the permeability characteristics of the tissues surrounding muskmelon embryos (the mucilaginous endocarp, the testa, a 2- to 4-cell-layered pe...

Metabolic engineering of omega-3 long-chain (≥C20) polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 LC-PUFA) in oilseeds has been one of the key targets in recent years. By expressing a transgenic pathway for enhancing the synthesis of the ω3 LC-PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from endogenous α-linolenic acid (ALA), we obtained the production of fish oil-like proportions of DHA in Arabidopsis seed oil. Liquid c...

From a plant's perspective, the difference between a seed predator and a seed disperser should be straightforward: attract animals that will disperse seeds and defend seeds from potential predators. Unlike pulp-eating frugivores, seed predators regularly encounter diverse plant protective mechanisms. The purpose of this paper is to examine feeding constraints, morphological adaptations, and the...