Deciphering the Physiological role of WRINKLED2 in Arabidopsis Seed oil Metabolism
Abstract
Triacylglycerol (TAG) is the primary component of vegetable oils found in plant seed and non-seed tissues. The transcription factor WRINKLED1 (WRI1) directly or indirectly controls its synthesis. Arabidopsis WRI2 is not functional. However, in avocado (Persea americana) mesocarp, which constitutes 60-70% oil by dry weight, paralogs WRI1 and WRI2 are highly expressed. We previously demonstrated that PaWRI1 and PaWRI2 can interact with AW-box present in the promoters of target genes and transactivate them, thereby inducing lipid biosynthesis. Recognizing the importance of enhancing seed oil content to meet the global demand for vegetable oil, we hypothesize that PaWRI1 and PaWRI2 can induce oil accumulation in seed tissue through trans-activating the genes associated with fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis in a similar manner. We propose performing functional complementation of Arabidopsis mutant seeds, wri1-1 (CS69538) and wri2 (SALK_111105C) with PaWRI1 and PaWRI2. We aim to introduce the cloned PaWRI1 and PaWRI2 genes into Arabidopsis using a seed-specific promoter. Then we will analyze the expression of key genes involved in oil biosynthesis and quantify TAGs using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID). Ultimately, our goal is to evaluate their impact on increasing oleic acid content in the seeds. The outcome of this study will provide insights into the possible functional role of PaWRI2 in seed tissue, which is otherwise considered non-functional in other oilseed crops, and how it can be harnessed to increase oil production in other oil-rich plants.
Start Time
16-4-2025 9:00 AM
End Time
16-4-2025 10:00 AM
Room Number
303
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Science, Technology and Engineering
Faculty Mentor
Aruna Kilaru
Deciphering the Physiological role of WRINKLED2 in Arabidopsis Seed oil Metabolism
303
Triacylglycerol (TAG) is the primary component of vegetable oils found in plant seed and non-seed tissues. The transcription factor WRINKLED1 (WRI1) directly or indirectly controls its synthesis. Arabidopsis WRI2 is not functional. However, in avocado (Persea americana) mesocarp, which constitutes 60-70% oil by dry weight, paralogs WRI1 and WRI2 are highly expressed. We previously demonstrated that PaWRI1 and PaWRI2 can interact with AW-box present in the promoters of target genes and transactivate them, thereby inducing lipid biosynthesis. Recognizing the importance of enhancing seed oil content to meet the global demand for vegetable oil, we hypothesize that PaWRI1 and PaWRI2 can induce oil accumulation in seed tissue through trans-activating the genes associated with fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis in a similar manner. We propose performing functional complementation of Arabidopsis mutant seeds, wri1-1 (CS69538) and wri2 (SALK_111105C) with PaWRI1 and PaWRI2. We aim to introduce the cloned PaWRI1 and PaWRI2 genes into Arabidopsis using a seed-specific promoter. Then we will analyze the expression of key genes involved in oil biosynthesis and quantify TAGs using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID). Ultimately, our goal is to evaluate their impact on increasing oleic acid content in the seeds. The outcome of this study will provide insights into the possible functional role of PaWRI2 in seed tissue, which is otherwise considered non-functional in other oilseed crops, and how it can be harnessed to increase oil production in other oil-rich plants.