Seeds play a crucial role in plant reproduction,making it essential to identify genes that affect seed development.In this study,we focused on UDP-glucosyltransferase 71C4(UGT71C4)in cotton,a member of the glycosyltra...Seeds play a crucial role in plant reproduction,making it essential to identify genes that affect seed development.In this study,we focused on UDP-glucosyltransferase 71C4(UGT71C4)in cotton,a member of the glycosyltransferase family that shapes seed width and length,thereby influencing seed index and seed cotton yield.Overexpression of UGT71C4 results in seed enlargement owing to its glycosyltransferase activity on flavonoids,which redirects metabolic flux from lignin to flavonoid metabolism.This shift promotes cell proliferation in the ovule via accumulation of flavonoid glycosides,significantly enhancing seed cotton yield and increasing the seed index from 10.66 g to 11.91 g.By contrast,knockout of UGT71C4 leads to smaller seeds through activation of the lignin metabolism pathway and redirection of metabolic flux back to lignin synthesis.This redirection leads to increased ectopic lignin deposition in the ovule,inhibiting ovule growth and development,and alters yield components,increasing the lint percentage from 41.42%to 43.40%and reducing the seed index from 10.66 g to 8.60 g.Our research sheds new light on seed size development and reveals potential pathways for enhancing seed yield.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(226-2022-00100)the NSFC(32130075)+1 种基金Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps(2023AA008)Research Startup Funding from Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University(0202-6602-A12201).
文摘Seeds play a crucial role in plant reproduction,making it essential to identify genes that affect seed development.In this study,we focused on UDP-glucosyltransferase 71C4(UGT71C4)in cotton,a member of the glycosyltransferase family that shapes seed width and length,thereby influencing seed index and seed cotton yield.Overexpression of UGT71C4 results in seed enlargement owing to its glycosyltransferase activity on flavonoids,which redirects metabolic flux from lignin to flavonoid metabolism.This shift promotes cell proliferation in the ovule via accumulation of flavonoid glycosides,significantly enhancing seed cotton yield and increasing the seed index from 10.66 g to 11.91 g.By contrast,knockout of UGT71C4 leads to smaller seeds through activation of the lignin metabolism pathway and redirection of metabolic flux back to lignin synthesis.This redirection leads to increased ectopic lignin deposition in the ovule,inhibiting ovule growth and development,and alters yield components,increasing the lint percentage from 41.42%to 43.40%and reducing the seed index from 10.66 g to 8.60 g.Our research sheds new light on seed size development and reveals potential pathways for enhancing seed yield.
