Physiobiochemical Changes and Gene Expressions of Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua Seeds undergone Post-ripening Treatment

  Objective  Physiobiochemical changes and differentially expressed genes in Polygonatumcyrtonema Hua seeds after a post-ripening treatment were studied.

  Method  Contents of superoxide dismutase, α-amylase, β-amylase, soluble protein, crude fat, and soluble sugar at 6 seed development stages were monitored. Differentially expressed genes were analyzed with high-throughput sequencing followed by a qRT-PCR verification.

  Result   (1) The post-ripening treatment raised the soluble sugar content in the seeds gradually in the initial 4 stages and slightly declined in the last two stages, while induced a declining trend on the crude fat and protein. Meanwhile, the activities of α-amylase and β-amylase increased. (2) Significantly enriched differentially expressed genes were observed in the sucrose and starch metabolic pathways as well as the hormone signal transduction pathway during the process.

  Conclusion  The post-ripening treatment on the P. cyrtonema seeds brought about the conversion and metabolism of starch and other nutrients as well as endogenous hormones interactions promoting the physiological changes and dormancy release.