Yang Xiaohuan, Chen Minghao, Liu Mingwang, Li Bowen, Sun Zhichao, Lu Ailian, Zhang Sen, Shi Xinghai, Ren Jun, Qin Xiuzhen, Ma Jinhu
College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China.
Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Front Plant Sci. 2025 Jul 23;16:1624742. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1624742. eCollection 2025.
Perilla ( (L.) Britt.), a valuable source of omega-3 oils and bioactive compounds in Asia, exhibits poor seed storage and germination performance. Understanding the genetic basis of desiccation tolerance (DT) during seed development is essential for improving perilla cultivation, yet these mechanisms remain largely unknown.
We measured phenotypic and physiological parameters of perilla seeds at different developmental stages and performed transcriptome analysis to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Using WGCNA, we correlated these DEGs with physiological traits to identify key modules.
We identified the D17-D27 stage as the critical window for DT acquisition in perilla seeds. Transcriptome analysis revealed 14,040 DEGs across different developmental stages. Through WGCNA analysis, we identified two key regulatory modules: the MEcoral module, which maintains membrane integrity through lipid metabolism, endoplasmic reticulum protein processing, and ABA signaling; and the MElavenderblush2 module, which regulates energy supply and cell wall remodeling via photosynthetic carbon metabolism and GA signaling. The core gene network () suggests that the BBX family may serve as a crucial integrator, coordinating ABA, heat stress, and light signaling pathways to regulate antioxidant defense and energy metabolism, thereby enhancing seed adaptability.
This study elucidates the mechanisms underlying DT acquisition in perilla seeds and provides a theoretical basis for the genetic improvement of crop stress resistance.
紫苏（(L.) Britt.）是亚洲ω-3油脂和生物活性化合物的宝贵来源，但其种子储存和发芽性能较差。了解种子发育过程中耐脱水性（DT）的遗传基础对于改善紫苏种植至关重要，但这些机制在很大程度上仍不清楚。
我们测量了紫苏种子在不同发育阶段的表型和生理参数，并进行了转录组分析以鉴定差异表达基因（DEG）。使用加权基因共表达网络分析（WGCNA），我们将这些DEG与生理性状相关联以识别关键模块。
我们确定D17-D27阶段是紫苏种子获得DT的关键窗口。转录组分析揭示了不同发育阶段的14,040个DEG。通过WGCNA分析，我们确定了两个关键调控模块：MEcoral模块，通过脂质代谢、内质网蛋白加工和脱落酸（ABA）信号传导维持膜完整性；以及MElavenderblush2模块，通过光合碳代谢和赤霉素（GA）信号传导调节能量供应和细胞壁重塑。核心基因网络表明，BBX家族可能作为关键整合因子，协调ABA、热应激和光信号通路，以调节抗氧化防御和能量代谢，从而增强种子适应性。
本研究阐明了紫苏种子获得DT的机制，并为作物抗逆性的遗传改良提供了理论基础。
