Temporal genomic imprinting regulates grain filling in barley
In cereals, the persistent endosperm accumulates starch and storage proteins, making their grains a major source of food and feed. Early grain development is epigenetically controlled through the parent-of-origin-specific expression of imprinted genes in the endosperm that regulate endosperm proliferation, nutrient accumulation and embryo nourishment. Imprinted genes have been identified in…
Barley grains serve as a crucial source of food and feed, with their endosperm accumulating starch and storage proteins. The development of these grains is regulated epigenetically by the parent-of-origin-specific expression of imprinted genes in the endosperm, which govern endosperm proliferation, nutrient accumulation, and embryo nourishment. Although imprinted genes have been discovered in various major cereals, their role in regulating storage compound accumulation in cereal grains remains unclear.
To shed light on this, researchers performed spatiotemporal transcriptome analysis of 255 imprinted genes in barley (Hordeum vulgare). The analysis revealed that endosperm transfer cells in grains are a focal point for expression of imprinted genes. Additionally, the study identified that transcription factor LYS3 dynamically controls grain filling in barley. Initially, LYS3 expresses the maternal allele, and then it facilitates partial activation of the paternal allele.
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