Transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveals regulatory networks associated with nutrition synthesis in sorghum seeds

Authors: KHAN, ADIL - Texas Tech University; Bean, Scott; YERKA, MELLINDA - University Of Nevada; YINPING, JIAO - Texas Tech University

Submitted to: Communications Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2024
Publication Date: 7/10/2024
Citation: Khan, A., Bean, S.R., Yerka, M.K., Yinping, J. 2024. Transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveals regulatory networks associated with nutrition synthesis in sorghum seeds. Communications Biology. 7. Article 841. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06525-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06525-7

Interpretive Summary: Cereal grains store carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, forming a vital part of our food, feed, and sustainable resources. Seed development is a complex process involving genetic, molecular and metabolic processes all of which ultimately govern the composition, and thereby end-use quality, of the grain. However, little is known regarding the regulatory gene networks controlling grain development in sorghum.This research identified both critical time points during grain development and genes related to starch and protein synthesis. The results reported here provide crucial genetic insights that can be harnessed to improve seed quality through targeted breeding programs. The overall improvement of sorghum grain composition relates directly to sorghum end-use quality and benefits sorghum producers, the biofuel industry, feed industries and food companies utilizing sorghum grain.

Technical Abstract: Cereal seeds store carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, forming a vital part of our food, feed, and sustainable resources. Seed development requires the tightly coordinated development of embryo, and endosperm, which serves as the primary storage compartment, ultimately determines the structure and composition of a mature seed. Gaining insights into the molecular and metabolic processes that govern the development of embryo and endosperm are fundamental for improving both the yield and nutritional quality of sorghum. However, little is known regarding the regulatory gene networks controlling endosperm and embryo development in sorghum seed. In this study, we developed spatiotemporal transcriptome and metabolome profiles in sorghum embryo and endosperm, from fertilization through maturation. Examining sorghum developing seed revealed critical timing points, from color changes to starch granule and kafirin accumulation. Besides the anatomical distinctions between the embryo and endosperm, the results revealed a series of temporal programs of gene expression correlated with progressive functional and cellular specializations. In addition, we identified genes strongly associated with starch and kafirins synthesis. Furthermore, we discovered genes exclusively expressed in both the embryo and endosperm that play crucial roles in driving seed development. The comprehensive analysis of transcriptional and metabolic dynamics across sorghum seed tissues during development offers a valuable resource for unraveling the fundamental mechanisms and regulatory networks that govern seed development, thereby defining its quality. Moreover, the results reported here provide crucial genetic insights that can be harnessed to improve seed quality through targeted breeding programs.