[Seed aging and survival mechanisms]

J Soc Biol. 2008;202(3):231-9. doi: 10.1051/jbio:2008026. Epub 2008 Nov 4.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Aging and death are universal to living systems. In temperate climate latitudes the mature seeds of higher plants are exposed to aging and have developed resistance mechanisms allowing survival and plant propagation. In addition to the physicochemical properties of the seed that confer stress resistance, the protein metabolism contributes importantly to longevity mechanisms. Recently, genetic studies have demonstrated the occurrence of the Protein L-isoaspartyl methyltransferase repair enzyme in controlling age-related protein damages and seed survival. These protective mechanisms by protein repair are widespread in all kingdoms, so that the use of seeds as models to study these controlling processes offers the prospect of understanding longevity mechanisms better.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Desiccation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Genome, Plant
  • Germination / genetics
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / physiology
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Preservation, Biological
  • Protein D-Aspartate-L-Isoaspartate Methyltransferase / genetics
  • Protein D-Aspartate-L-Isoaspartate Methyltransferase / physiology
  • Seeds / genetics
  • Seeds / growth & development*
  • Seeds / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Plant Proteins
  • Protein D-Aspartate-L-Isoaspartate Methyltransferase