Comparative transcriptome profiling of peanut embryos under calcium-deficiency and -sufficient conditions

To obtain a comprehensive characterization of embryo transcriptome under calcium deficiency and identify key regulatory genes related to embryo development in peanut, the combination of physiology, cellular biology, de novo transcriptome sequencing and digital gene expression (DEG) tag profiling were performed with the Illumina HiseqTM 2500 platform. The aims of this study are: (i) to reveal the events of physiological and cellular morphological changes in peanut embryos under calcium deficiency stresses, (ii) to identify the differentially-regulated genes especially key candidate genes involved in embryo abortion, (iii) to dissect the underlying networks regulating calcium deficiency-induced embryo abortion. The results of this study provide insights toward mechanisms on embryo abortion under calcium deficiency conditions and facilitate understanding of peanut embryo geocarpic development.