Transcriptional regulation of early embryo development in the model legume Medicago truncatula

KEY MESSAGE: Spatial and temporal expression of co-expressed transcription factors provide a framework to investigate the integrated control of embryo size, vascularisation, meristem development and onset of seed filling in early embryogenesis of Medicago truncatula. ABSTRACT: Cultivated legumes account for more than a quarter of primary crop production worldwide. The protein- and oil-rich seed of cultivated legumes provides around one-third of the protein in the average human diet, with soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr) being the single largest source of vegetable oil. Despite their critical importance to human and animal nutrition, we lack an understanding of how early seed development in legumes is orchestrated at the transcriptional level. We developed a method to isolate ovules from the model legume, Medicago truncatula Gaertn, at specific stages of embryogenesis, on the basis of flower and pod morphology. Using these isolated ovules we profiled the expression of candidate homeobox, AP2 domain and B3 domain-containing transcription factors. These genes were identified by available information and sequence homology, and five distinctive patterns of transcription were found that correlated with specific stages of early seed growth and development. Co-expression of some genes could be related to common regulatory sequences in the promoter or 3′-UTR regions. These expression patterns were also related to the expression of B3-domain transcription factors important in seed filling (MtFUS3-like and MtABI3-like). Localisation of gene expression by promoter-GUS fusions or in situ hybridisation aided understanding of the role of the transcription factors. This study provides a framework to enhance the understanding of the integrated transcriptional regulation of legume embryo growth and development and seed filling. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00299-013-1535-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.