Isolation and Functional Characterization of a B3 Transcription Factor Gene <i>FUSCA3</i>Involved in Pre-Harvest Sprouting Resistance in Wheat

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) reduces yields and grain quality, resulting in seriously economic losses in wheat. It has been showed that PHS is significantly correlated to seed dormancy levels. FUSCA3 (FUS3) gene is considered to be the key regulator of seed dormancy. However, little information is available about the function of FUS3 gene (TaFUS3) in wheat. In this study, three homologous genes were identified in wheat grain, and their functions were investigated by gene silencing. Three full-length DNA (3477, 3534 and 3501 bp) and cDNA (1015, 1012 and 1015 bp) sequences encoding a B3 transcription factor, designated TaFUS3-3A, TaFUS3-3B and TaFUS3-3D, were first isolated from common wheat. The transcription of three TaFUS3 genes in seed development and germination process was detected. TaFUS3-3B and TaFUS3-3D had similar expression profiles, and high levels of gene transcripts were detected in seeds at 25 DAP (days after pollination) and after 24 h of imbibition. However, the transcription of TaFUS3-3A was not detected. Silencing of TaFUS3 in common wheat spikes resulted in increased seed germination and PHS. Compared with wild-type, the TaFUS3-silenced plants showed increased expression of genes related to GA biosynthesis and ABA metabolism, and decreased expression of genes associated with ABA biosynthesis. Moreover, silencing of TaFUS3 in wheat plants led to a decrease in embryo sensitivity to ABA and changed the expression of genes involved in ABA signal transduction. The results of gene silencing indicated that TaFUS3 plays a positive role in wheat seed dormancy and PHS-resistance, which might be associated with ABA, GA level and signal transduction.