TransEpiSeed · The role of mRNA methylation in control of seed germination
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-01-01 → 2022-12-31
- EU contribution
- €207,312
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
TransEpiSeed: The role of mRNA methylation in control of seed germination
The project is aiming at revealing the molecular mechanism behind RNA methylation in the control of seed germination. Seed germination is essential for modern agriculture represented by mechanic sowing, which has high demands on homogenous germination with high seed vigor. The results from the current project will provide fundamental support in agricultural practice and plant breeding. The overall objectives are 1) Investigate methylation patterns for the ribosome-associated mRNA in seeds. 2) Conduct genome-wide profiling of m6A in mRNA at single nucleic acid resolution during seed germination.3) Examine the physiological role of carefully selected m6A “reader” protein in seeds. 4) Characterization of the molecular function of the m6A “reader” proteins.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Seed germination is a unique phase of the plant life cycle. Its correct coordination is crucial for seedling establishment, and germination is, therefore, key for crop survival and yield. The improvement of seed germination will be highly important for modernized precision agriculture.Seeds accumulate a substantial amount of translationally inert mRNA during maturation. These mRNAs have a strikingly long half-life allowing seeds of certain plant species survive up to thousands of years. Upon water-uptake, these mRNAs are translationally activated in support of seed germination. The function of mRNAs stored in dry seeds has been a mystery for decades. My recent work demonstrated that these stored mRNAs are associated with ribosomes and that they get translated during early seed germination. Therefore, an understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that govern the storage of these mRNAs in dry seeds, and their eventual translation upon germination will reveal tremendous insight into seed germination.A multitude of mechanisms might affect mRNA translation. Common to them is that they must involve sequence-specific recognition of a signal within the transcript, such as an mRNA modification. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most widespread internal mRNA modification, has been shown to have important role on mRNA stability or translation efficiency involving recruitment of specialized m6A-binding proteins, in plants referred to as EVOLUTIONARILY CONSERVED C-TERMINUS (ECT) proteins. TransEpiSeed aims to study the relevance of m6A for translational control during seed germination by investigation of m6A dynamics and the function of ECT proteins. Combining my knowledge on the translational regulation of seed germination with expertise on m6A of the host lab provides a strong base to increase the insight into the regulation of seed germination. The results will provide opportunities for high-quality seed production and strengthen my skills required as advanced seed biologist.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET · KOBENHAVNCoordinatorDenmark
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union