Seed development is orchestrated via complex gene regulatory networks and pathways. Epigenetic factors may also govern seed development and seed size/weight. Here, we analyzed DNA methylation in a large-seeded chickpea cultivar (JGK 3) during seed development stages. Progressive gain of CHH context DNA methylation in transposable elements (TEs) and higher frequency of small RNAs in hypermethylated TEs during seed development suggested a role of the RNA-dependent DNA methylation pathway. Frequency of intragenic TEs was higher in CHH context differentially methylated region (DMR) associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). CG context hyper/hypomethylation within the gene body was observed for most of DMR-associated DEGs in JGK 3 as compared to small-seeded chickpea cultivar (Himchana 1). We identified candidate genes involved in seed size/weight determination exhibiting CG context hypermethylation within the gene body and higher expression in JGK 3. This study provides insights into the role of DNA methylation in seed development and seed size/weight determination in chickpea. © 2020, The Author(s).

Rohini Garg

Life Sciences

(SoNS) School of Natural Sciences

Rajkumar M.S.

Gupta K.

Khemka N.K.

Jain M.

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Shiv Nadar University

Communications Biology

Oryza coarctata is a wild relative of rice that has adapted to diverse ecological environments, including high salinity and submergence. Thus, it can provide an important resource for discovering candidate genes/factors involved in tolerance to these stresses. Here, we report a draft genome assembly of 573 Mb comprised of 8877 scaffolds with N50 length of 205 kb. We predicted a total of 50,562 protein-coding genes, of which a significant fraction was found to be involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis and hormone signal transduction pathways. Several salinity and submergence stress-responsive protein-coding and long noncoding RNAs involved in diverse biological processes were identified using RNA-sequencing data. Based on small RNA sequencing, we identified 168 unique miRNAs and 3219 target transcripts (coding and noncoding) involved in several biological processes, including abiotic stress responses. Further, whole genome bisulphite sequencing data analysis revealed at least 19\%–48\% methylcytosines in different sequence contexts and the influence of methylation status on gene expression. The genome assembly along with other datasets have been made publicly available at http://ccbb.jnu.ac.in/ory-coar. Altogether, we provide a comprehensive genomic resource for understanding the regulation of salinity and submergence stress responses and identification of candidate genes/factors involved for functional genomics studies. © 2020 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society

Physiologia Plantarum

Draft genome and transcriptome analyses of halophyte rice Oryza coarctata provide resources for salinity and submergence stress response factors

Seed development is an intricate process regulated via a complex transcriptional regulatory network. To understand the molecular mechanisms governing seed development and seed size/weight in chickpea, we performed a comprehensive analysis of transcriptome dynamics during seed development in two cultivars with contrasting seed size/weight (small-seeded, Himchana 1 and large-seeded, JGK 3). Our analysis identified stage-specific expression for a significant proportion (>13\%) of the genes in each cultivar. About one half of the total genes exhibited significant differential expression in JGK 3 as compared with Himchana 1. We found that different seed development stages can be delineated by modules of coexpressed genes. A comparative analysis revealed differential developmental stage specificity of some modules between the two cultivars. Furthermore, we constructed transcriptional regulatory networks and identified key components determining seed size/weight. The results suggested that extended period of cell division during embryogenesis and higher level of endoreduplication along with more accumulation of storage compounds during maturation determine large seed size/weight. Further, we identified quantitative trait loci-associated candidate genes harboring single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter sequences that differentiate small- and large-seeded chickpea cultivars. The results provide a valuable resource to dissect the role of candidate genes governing seed development and seed size/weight in chickpea. © 2017 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Plant Journal

Global transcriptome and coexpression network analyses reveal cultivar-specific molecular signatures associated with seed development and seed size/weight determination in chickpea

Scientific Reports

Author Correction: Dynamic Changes of Genome-Wide DNA Methylation during Soybean Seed Development

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Seed genome hypomethylated regions are enriched in transcription factor genes

Genome Biology

Dynamic DNA methylation reconfiguration during seed development and germination

Similarity between soybean and Arabidopsis seed methylomes and loss of non-CG methylation does not affect seed development

DNA methylation reprogramming during seed development and its functional relevance in seed size/weight determination in chickpea