The SCL30a SR protein regulates ABA-dependent seed traits and germination under stress.

SR proteins are conserved RNA-binding proteins best known as splicing regulators that have also been implicated in other steps of gene expression. Despite mounting evidence for a role in plant development and stress responses, the molecular pathways underlying SR protein regulation of these processes remain poorly understood. Here we show that the plant-specific SCL30a SR protein negatively regulates ABA signaling to control seed traits and stress responses during germination in Arabidopsis.

Oil and protein accumulation in developing seeds is influenced by the expression of a cytosolic pyrophosphatase in Arabidopsis.

This study describes a dominant low-seed-oil mutant (lo15571) of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) generated by enhancer tagging. Compositional analysis of developing siliques and mature seeds indicated reduced conversion of photoassimilates to oil. Immunoblot analysis revealed increased levels of At1g01050 protein in developing siliques of lo15571.

Guar seed beta-mannan synthase is a member of the cellulose synthase super gene family.

Genes for the enzymes that make plant cell wall hemicellulosic polysaccharides remain to be identified. We report here the isolation of a complementary DNA (cDNA) clone encoding one such enzyme, mannan synthase (ManS), that makes the beta-1, 4-mannan backbone of galactomannan, a hemicellulosic storage polysaccharide in guar seed endosperm walls. The soybean somatic embryos expressing ManS cDNA contained high levels of ManS activities that localized to Golgi.

A novel omega3-fatty acid desaturase involved in the biosynthesis of eicosapentaenoic acid.

Long-chain n-3 PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) such as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid; 20:5 n-3) have important therapeutic and nutritional benefits in humans. In plants, cyanobacteria and nematodes, omega3-desaturases catalyse the formation of these n-3 fatty acids from n-6 fatty acid precursors. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of a gene ( sdd17 ) derived from an EPA-rich fungus, Saprolegnia diclina, that encodes a novel omega3-desaturase.

Production of fatty acid components of meadowfoam oil in somatic soybean embryos.

The seed oil of meadowfoam (Limnanthes alba) and other Limnanthes spp. is enriched in the unusual fatty acid Delta(5)-eicosenoic acid (20:1Delta(5)). This fatty acid has physical and chemical properties that make the seed oil of these plants useful for a number of industrial applications.