Abstract
Somatic embryogenesis provides a useful tool to facilitate efficient mass propagation in plants. The SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE (SERK) gene serves a fundamentally important role in somatic embryogenesis of many plant species. The isolation of a SERK gene homolog, namely CaSERK, from Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep. cv. Blue Tung, was reported. Prediction of coding sequence showed that it encoded a protein of 628 amino acids showing high similarity to previously characterized SERK sequences and containing all the features shared by members of the SERK family, including five leucine-rich repeats and the distinctive proline-rich SPP domain. Investigation of CaSERK expression revealed that its transcripts were found throughout the whole somatic embryogenesis process with highest abundance in embryogenic callus. These results indicate that CaSERK might have somatic embryogenesis-associated functions in this economically important ornamental ginger. Detection of CaSERK transcript accumulation in flower and coma bract tissues is suggestive of its additional roles in other developmental signaling pathways.
Highlights
Members of the Curcuma genus in the monocotyledonous Zingiberaceae family have long been extensively cultivated for culinary and medicinal uses
These results indicate that CaSERK might have somatic embryogenesis-associated functions in this economically important ornamental ginger
Samples were taken from embryogenic calli, somatic embryos at different stages and plantlets for CaSERK gene isolation and expression analysis purposes
Summary
Members of the Curcuma genus in the monocotyledonous Zingiberaceae family have long been extensively cultivated for culinary and medicinal uses. Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep., known as Siam tulip, summer tulip or Patumma, is a native of Indochina with widespread occurrence throughout Thailand. It bears beautiful inflorescence containing large and colorful coma bracts, making it highly popular in the floriculture market. Rhizome production is hampered by serious damages caused by wilt disease (Elphinstone, 2005). In this regard, advances in plant biotechnology could provide alternative strategies for an efficient propagation of C. alismatifolia. Somatic embryogenesis has become a promising tool for mass propagation in a wide range of plant species. Thorough understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying various aspects of somatic embryogenesis could help overcome the barriers to the www.ccsenet.org/jas
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