The Arabidopsis electron-transfer flavoprotein:ubiquinone oxidoreductase is required during normal seed development and germination

Paula da Fonseca-Pereira, Phuong Anh Pham, João Henrique F. Cavalcanti, Rebeca P. Omena-Garcia, Jessica A.S. Barros, Laise Rosado-Souza, José G. Vallarino, Marek Mutwil, Tamar Avin-Wittenberg, Adriano Nunes-Nesi, Alisdair R. Fernie, Wagner L. Araújo*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

The importance of the alternative donation of electrons to the ubiquinol pool via the electron-transfer flavoprotein/electron-transfer flavoprotein:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETF/ETFQO) complex has been demonstrated. However, the functional significance of this pathway during seed development and germination remains to be elucidated. To assess the function of this pathway, we performed a detailed metabolic and transcriptomic analysis of Arabidopsis mutants to test the molecular consequences of a dysfunctional ETF/ETFQO pathway. We demonstrate that the disruption of this pathway compromises seed germination in the absence of an external carbon source and also impacts seed size and yield. Total protein and storage protein content is reduced in dry seeds, whilst sucrose levels remain invariant. Seeds of ETFQO and related mutants were also characterized by an altered fatty acid composition. During seed development, lower levels of fatty acids and proteins accumulated in the etfqo-1 mutant as well as in mutants in the alternative electron donors isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (ivdh-1) and d-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase (d2hgdh1-2). Furthermore, the content of several amino acids was increased in etfqo-1 mutants during seed development, indicating that these mutants are not using such amino acids as alternative energy source for respiration. Transcriptome analysis revealed alterations in the expression levels of several genes involved in energy and hormonal metabolism. Our findings demonstrated that the alternative pathway of respiration mediated by the ETF/ETFQO complex affects seed germination and development by directly adjusting carbon storage during seed filling. These results indicate a role for the pathway in the normal plant life cycle to complement its previously defined roles in the response to abiotic stress.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)196-214
Number of pages19
JournalPlant Journal
Volume109
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Society for Experimental Biology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Arabidopsis electron-transfer flavoprotein:ubiquinone oxidoreductase is required during normal seed development and germination'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this