From stress to embryos: molecular and physiological mechanisms associated to somatic embryogenesis

Abstract

The aim of this project is to identify molecular and physiological mechanisms provoked by stress during in vitro embryo development in Brazilian pine. To achieve this aim, the project will use information generated from Brazilian pine transcriptome (FAPESP proc.2011/51659-7) and cell signaling during morphogenesis (FAPESP proc. 2014/11228-5) with physiological, biochemical and molecular analysis of cell lines with different degrees of embryogenicity and during transdifferentiation of proembryogenic masses into somatic embryos. For the identification of molecular and physiological mechanisms associated to stressful conditions during somatic embryo formation, we will characterize the metabolism of amino acids, polyamines and carbohydrates, the emission of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and their impact on auxin homeostasis and post-translational modifications promoted by S-nitrosylation. The results will bring new insights on basic and applied plant biology, namely in stress signaling pathways active during conifer embryo development, as well as in the ability to use somatic embryogenesis to propagate Brazilian pine genotypes. (AU)