Table_1_Regulatory function of the endogenous hormone in the germination process of quinoa seeds.xlsx

The economic and health significance of quinoa is steadily growing on a global scale. Nevertheless, the primary obstacle to achieving high yields in quinoa cultivation is pre-harvest sprouting (PHS), which is intricately linked to seed dormancy. However, there exists a dearth of research concerning the regulatory mechanisms governing PHS. The regulation of seed germination by various plant hormones has been extensively studied. Consequently, understanding the mechanisms underlying the role of endogenous hormones in the germination process of quinoa seeds and developing strategies to mitigate PHS in quinoa cultivation are of significant research importance. This study employed the HPLC-ESI-MS/MS internal standard and ELISA method to quantify 8 endogenous hormones. The investigation of gene expression changes before and after germination was conducted using RNA-seq analysis, leading to the discovery of 280 differentially expressed genes associated with the regulatory pathway of endogenous hormones. Additionally, a correlation analysis of 99 genes with significant differences identified 14 potential genes that may act as crucial “transportation hubs” in hormonal interactions. Through the performance of an analysis on the modifications in hormone composition and the expression of associated regulatory genes, we posit a prediction that implies the presence of a negative feedback regulatory mechanism of endogenous hormones during the germination of quinoa seeds. This mechanism is potentially influenced by the unique structure of quinoa seeds. To shed light on the involvement of endogenous hormones in the process of quinoa seed germination, we have established a regulatory network. This study aims to offer innovative perspectives on the breeding of quinoa varieties that exhibit resistance to PHS, as well as strategies for preventing PHS.

藜麦在全球范围内的经济与健康价值正稳步提升。然而，藜麦高产栽培的主要障碍为收获前穗发芽（pre-harvest sprouting, PHS），该现象与种子休眠密切相关。但目前针对PHS调控机制的相关研究仍较为匮乏。多种植物激素对种子萌发的调控作用已得到广泛研究。因此，解析藜麦种子萌发过程中内源激素的作用机制，并开发缓解藜麦种植中PHS的相关策略，具有重要的研究价值。本研究采用HPLC-ESI-MS/MS内标法与ELISA法，对8种内源激素进行了定量检测；通过RNA-seq分析对藜麦种子萌发前后的基因表达变化进行了研究，共鉴定出280个与内源激素调控通路相关的差异表达基因。此外，对99个显著差异表达基因进行相关性分析，鉴定出14个潜在基因，这些基因可能在激素互作中发挥关键的"调控枢纽"作用。通过分析激素组成与相关调控基因的表达变化，我们提出推测：藜麦种子萌发过程中存在内源激素的负反馈调控机制，该机制或受藜麦种子独特结构的影响。为阐明内源激素在藜麦种子萌发过程中的调控作用，本研究构建了相应的调控网络。本研究旨在为抗PHS藜麦品种的选育及PHS防控策略提供全新的研究思路。