Page 311 - ebook

[F. Others] F-12

Identification of transcription factors regulated by LEC2 in

triacylglycerol biosynthesis

Hyungju Do¹, Hyun Uk Kim¹*

¹Department of Bioindustry and Bioresource Engineering, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea

During the seed development, triacylglycerol (TAG) is accumulated in the cotyledon. The TAG is used as an energy
source for seedling development in germinated seeds. The complex network of transcription factors (TFs) regulates

genes involved in TAG biosynthesis during seed development. LEAFY COTYLEDON 2 (LEC2) is the master regulator
for maturation and TAG biosynthesis in seed development. Currently, LEC2-downstream TF networks in the process

of seed TAG biosynthesis have not been studied well. In this study, we identified 25 seed-specific TFs upregulated
by LEC2. To identify novel transcription factors that regulate TAG biosynthesis in the LEC2 regulatory network, each

of 25 seed-specific candidate TFs has been transforming to overexpress in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana using
Agrobacterium infiltration. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of TAG content in transformed leaves is progressed

using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography (GC) to find TFs induce TAG accumulation. The
discovery of novel TFs that regulate the biosynthesis of TAG can be usefully used to enhance the oil content of

plants.