Deciphering the Physiological role of WRINKLED2 in Arabidopsis Seed oil Metabolism

Additional Authors

Jyoti Behera Department of Biological Science, College of Arts and Sciences, East Tennessee State University, TN

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

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Apr 16th, 9:00 AM Apr 16th, 10:00 AM

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.