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Amino acid metabolism at the maternal–filial boundary of young barley seeds: a microdissection-based study

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Abstract

The nucellar projection (NP)/endosperm transfer cell (ETC) complex represents the link between maternal and filial seed tissues in barley and mediates nutrient transfer into the endosperm. Cells of NP function as metabolic interface to precondition amino acid supply of the endosperm. The organ displays a top-down gradient of differentiation, with mitotically active, differentiating/elongating as well as disintegrating cells, characterized by proteolysis and nitrogen remobilization. To understand metabolism, interconversion and transfer of amino acids at the maternal–filial boundary, we applied a combined transcriptome and metabolite approach based on laser-assisted microdissection. Results suggest that amino acid degradation observed in NP largely occurs within mitochondria, consistent with their role in controlling amino acid homeostasis and metabolism. Differentially expressed genes and free amino acid levels associated with glutamate and glutamine metabolism indicate concerted action of glutamine dehydrogenase, glutamine synthetase and alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase 2 within a hypothetical cycle for glutamine and alanine degradation and re-synthesis of the preferred transport form glutamine. Stimulation of gene expression involved in methionine metabolism in NP suggests a pathway of regulated synthesis of S-methylmethionine and a possible mechanism for the transfer of reduced sulphur from maternal tissues into the endosperm. Thus, the established micromethods revealed strategies in NP of young barley grains for mobilization and metabolism of transient N and S reserves and transfer into the endosperm.

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Abbreviations

Ala:

Alanine

Arg:

Arginine

Asp:

Aspartate

Cys:

Cysteine

GABA:

Gamma amino butyric acid

Gln:

Glutamine

Glu:

Glutamate

Gly:

Glycine

His:

Histidine

Leu:

Leucine

Lys:

Lysine

Met:

Methionine

Pro:

Proline

SAM:

S-Adenosylmethionine

Ser:

Serine

Trp:

Tryptophan

Val:

Valine

amol:

Attomol (10−18 mol)

DAF:

Days after flowering

ETC:

Endosperm transfer cells

LMPC:

Laser microdissection coupled to laser pressure catapulting

NP:

Nucellar projection

UPLC:

Ultra performance liquid chromatography

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Uta Siebert for her excellent and expert assistance in tissue processing and operating the PALM Laser Microbeam instrument. We also wish to thank Ursula Tiemann for graphical artwork. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, FKZ 39205123) and by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF, FKZ 0313821A).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leibniz-Institut Für Pflanzengenetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung (IPK), Corrensstraße 3, 06466, Gatersleben, Germany

    Johannes Thiel, Martin Müller, Winfriede Weschke & Hans Weber

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  1. Johannes Thiel
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  2. Martin Müller
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  3. Winfriede Weschke
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  4. Hans Weber
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Correspondence to Johannes Thiel.

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Thiel, J., Müller, M., Weschke, W. et al. Amino acid metabolism at the maternal–filial boundary of young barley seeds: a microdissection-based study. Planta 230, 205–213 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-009-0935-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-009-0935-1

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