An iTRAQ-based proteomics approach to clarify the molecular physiology of somatic embryo development in Prince Rupprecht's larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr)

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 17;10(3):e0119987. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119987. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Prince Rupprecht's larch (Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr) is a native high-value forest tree species in North China whose clonal propagation through somatic embryogenesis (SE) has the potential to rapidly capture the benefits of breeding or genetic engineering programs and to improve raw material uniformity and quality. To date, research has focused on clarifying the molecular mechanism of SE, but proteomic studies are still in the early stages. In this study, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) analysis was performed on three developmental stages of SE in L. principis-rupprechtii in an attempt to identify a wide range of proteins that are regulated differentially during this process. Proteins were extracted and analyzed from the pro-embryogenic mass (PEM), globular embryo (GE), and cotyledon embryo (CE) stages of embryo development. We detected 503 proteins in total and identified 96 proteins expressed differentially during different developmental stages. The identified proteins were analyzed further to provide information about their expression patterns and functions during SE. Four clusters of proteins based on shared expression profiles were generated. Functional analysis showed that proteins involved in primary metabolism, phosphorylation, and oxidation reduction were upregulated during somatic embryo development. This work provides novel insights into the process of larch embryo development in vitro and a basis for further study of the biological process and opportunities for practical application of this knowledge.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Larix / genetics*
  • Larix / physiology
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Plant Somatic Embryogenesis Techniques*
  • Proteome / genetics
  • Proteome / metabolism*
  • Proteomics

Substances

  • Plant Proteins
  • Proteome

Grants and funding

This work was supported by “948” Project of China (2014-4-59), Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (IRT13047), the Special Fund for Forestry Scientific Research in the Public Interest (No.201404422) and the Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China (J1103516 and 31370658). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.