Chemical hybridizing agent SQ-1-induced male sterility in Triticum aestivum L.: a comparative analysis of the anther proteome

Hongzhan Liu,Na Niu,Gaisheng Zhang,Lili Li,Yulong Song,Lin Qiao,Junsheng Wang,Junwei Wang,Jingjing Li,Shoucai Ma

doi:10.1186/s12870-017-1225-x

Abstract

BackgroundHeterosis is widely used to increase the yield of many crops. However, as wheat is a self-pollinating crop, hybrid breeding is not so successful in this organism. Even though male sterility induced by chemical hybridizing agents is an important aspect of crossbreeding, the mechanisms by which these agents induce male sterility in wheat is not well understood.ResultsWe performed proteomic analyses using the wheat Triticum aestivum L.to identify those proteins involved in physiological male sterility (PHYMS) induced by the chemical hybridizing agent CHA SQ-1. A total of 103 differentially expressed proteins were found by 2D–PAGE and subsequently identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF MS/MS. In general, these proteins had obvious functional tendencies implicated in carbohydrate metabolism, oxidative stress and resistance, protein metabolism, photosynthesis, and cytoskeleton and cell structure. In combination with phenotypic, tissue section, and bioinformatics analyses, the identified differentially expressed proteins revealed a complex network behind the regulation of PHYMS and pollen development. Accordingly, we constructed a protein network of male sterility in wheat, drawing relationships between the 103 differentially expressed proteins and their annotated biological pathways. To further validate our proposed protein network, we determined relevant physiological values and performed real-time PCR assays.ConclusionsOur proteomics based approach has enabled us to identify certain tendencies in PHYMS anthers. Anomalies in carbohydrate metabolism and oxidative stress, together with premature tapetum degradation, may be the cause behind carbohydrate starvation and male sterility in CHA SQ-1 treated plants. Here, we provide important insight into the mechanisms underlying CHA SQ-1-induced male sterility. Our findings have practical implications for the application of hybrid breeding in wheat.

Highlights

Heterosis is widely used to increase the yield of many crops
We found that while the callose of MF-1376 anthers at the tetrad stage stained a bright color and showed a thick deposition, the callose of physiological male sterility (PHYMS) anthers was dull in color and exhibited an abnormal deposition (Fig. 1d and e)
We found ABC transporter C family member 5 to be upregulated at the tetrad and mononuclear stage in PHYMS anthers, suggesting that ABC transporters play a role in the process of male sterility induced by chemical hybridizing agents (CHA)

Summary

Introduction

Heterosis is widely used to increase the yield of many crops. as wheat is a self-pollinating crop, hybrid breeding is not so successful in this organism. These lines are more difficult to use due to the lack of fertility restoration sources and the complexity of fertility restoration factors [3] To combat this issue, chemical hybridizing agents (CHA) have been implemented as an alternative for inducing male sterility in wheat. Chemical hybridizing agents (CHA) have been implemented as an alternative for inducing male sterility in wheat This method enables the production of hybrid seeds of any parental combination, but is more convenient for promoting heterosis as no maintainer line or pre-breeding is required [4, 5]. Very limited information is available regarding the proteins and molecular mechanisms behind such CHAinduced sterility

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Conclusion