This work was supported by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation and by the State of Geneva.

Once the SCBA is assembled, the growth of embryos is monitored over several days. Therefore, before the seed dissection procedure and assembly of the SCBA, one needs to sterilize seeds to avoid future contaminations that could prevent proper assessment of the effect of seed coat material on embryonic growth.
1. Seed Sterilization
<ol>
	<li>Pour 50-60 &#956;l of mature and dry Arabidopsis seeds in a 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube and prepare a 70% ethanol solution.</li>
	<li>Add 1 ml of 70% ethanol solution to the microcentrifuge tube containing the seeds and shake at room temperature for 10 min at 1,200 rpm in a vortexer.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge microcentrifuge tube for 3 sec at 4,000 x g to concentrate seeds at the bottom of the tube.</li>
	<li>Aspirate the 70% ethanol solution using a vacuum suction tip&#160;carefully leaving the seeds at the bottom of the microcentrifuge tube.</li>
	<li>Add 1 ml of sterile distilled water to the microcentrifuge tube still containing the seeds.</li>
	<li>Shake at room temperature for 10 min at 1,200 rpm.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge microcentrifuge tube for 3 sec at 4,000 x g to concentrate seeds at the bottom of the tube. Aspirate water supernatant using a vacuum suction tip carefully leaving the seeds at the bottom of the tube.</li>
	<li>Add 1 ml of sterile water distilled water to the microcentrifuge tube still containing the seeds. Ensure that the flow of water homogenously suspends the seeds inside the tube. The goal here is to avoid further shaking so as to preserve the integrity of the seeds.</li>
	<li>Let the seeds settle down by gravity at the bottom of the tube by leaving the tube still for 30 sec. Aspirate water supernatant using a vacuum suction tip carefully leaving the seeds at the bottom of the tube.</li>
	<li>Repeat four times steps 1.8 - 1.9. Overall the sterilization procedure takes about 30 min.</li>
</ol>
2. Seed Plating
All subsequent steps are performed inside a laminar flow cabinet to preserve sterile conditions.
<ol>
	<li>Prepare a Petri dish plate (100 mm diameter, 20 mm height) containing 30 ml of germination medium prepared by autoclaving a solution containing 4.3 g/L Murashige and Skoog medium in 2.5 mM 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES-KOH; pH 5.7) and 0.8 g/L agar. Let the solution cool down in a 50 &#176;C water bath before pouring it on the Petri dish plate.</li>
	<li>Add 200 &#956;l of sterile distilled water to the tube containing the seeds. Resuspend the seeds and transfer them on the surface of the germination medium using a standard pipette with a 1 ml tip.</li>
	<li>Remove the water surrounding the seeds on the surface of the germination medium using a vacuum suction tip.</li>
	<li>Leave the Petri dish containing the seeds without its lid inside the laminar flow cabinet for 2 hr for further drying. Close the Petri dish with the lid and let it stand under the laminar flow cabinet for about 90 min so that about 4 hr have passed since the initiation of the seed sterilization procedure (step 1.2).</li>
</ol>
3. Seed Dissection
The following steps necessitate working with a stereomicroscope placed inside the laminar flow hood cabinet. A Dumont forceps #5 with truncated (i.e. blunt) tips greatly facilitates the handling of the seeds (Figure 1A).
<ol>
	<li>Prepare a new Petri dish plate containing 30 ml of germination medium. Place on the surface of the medium two juxtaposed rectangular sterile Whatman 3MM papers (1.5 cm x 1.0 cm; Figure 1B, step 1). Whatman 3MM paper is sterilized in an autoclave.</li>
	<li>Transfer seeds on the Whatman 3MM papers using sterile forceps (Figure 1B, step 2).</li>
	<li>Hold an individual seed against the Whatman 3MM paper by gently pressing the seed using the juxtaposed blunt tips of the truncated forceps (Figure 1B, step 3).</li>
	<li>Cut the seed coat (testa and endosperm) of the seed using a syringe needle (e.g. U100 insulin syringe + 1 ml syringe, 0.33 mm (29 G) x 12.7 mm) (Figure 1B, step 4). The shape of Arabidopsis seed is ellipsoidal and it is recommended to cut the seed coat along the longest semi-principal axis as close as possible to the place where the cotyledons are joined to the radicle (i.e. away from the radical tip). This helps the safe release of the embryo in the next step of the dissection procedure.</li>
	<li>Push the seed against the Whatman 3MM paper using the juxtaposed blunt tips of the truncated forceps (Figure 1B, step 5). This step releases the embryo out the seed coat through the opening created in step 3.4 (Figure 1B, step 6). It is recommended to apply the push on the seed where the tip of the cotyledons are in closest to the tip of the radicle (i.e. away from the opening).</li>
</ol>
4. Assembly of the Seed Coat Bedding Assay (SCBA)
See discussion for the proper choice of the number of seed coats and embryos.
<ol>
	<li>Prepare a new Petri dish plate containing 30 ml of germination medium. Place on the surface of the medium a sterile rectangular piece (3.5 cm x 5.0 cm) of Nylon mesh&#160;(Figure 2, step 1).</li>
	<li>To avoid damage, embryos and seed coats can be moved to the surface of the metallic edges of the forceps by gently pushing them using the syringe needle (Figure 2, step 2). Transfer embryos and seed coats on the Nylon mesh (Figure 2, step 3).</li>
	<li>Assemble a circular and single layer of seed coats using the blunted forceps and the needle making sure that seeds coats are in as much closer proximity as possible (Figure 2, step 4). Try to expose as much as possible the seed coat opening generated by the needle upwards. This step was not systematically tested. However, it could increase the efficiency of the SCBA since diffusible substances inhibiting the growth of the embryo are expected to directly diffuse out towards the embryo rather than away from it.</li>
	<li>Place the embryos as a circular single layer on the center of the seed coat bed assembled in step 4.3 (Figure 2, step 5). Ensure that the embryos are in as much closer proximity as possible.</li>
	<li>Incubate the SCBAs under continuous light (40 &#956;mol/m2sec) at 20-21 &#176;C. In the case where a FR pulse is used to arrest germination, assemble the SCBA under normal light, apply the FR pulse as described9 and leave Petri dish in darkness.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Debeaujon, I., Leon-Kloosterziel, K. M., Koornneef, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Influence+of+the+testa+on+seed+dormancy,+germination,+and+longevity+in+Arabidopsis.">Influence of the testa on seed dormancy, germination, and longevity in Arabidopsis.</a> Plant Physiol. 122, 403-414 (2000).</li><li>Baroux, C., Spillane, C., Grossniklaus, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evolutionary+origins+of+the+endosperm+in+flowering+plants.">Evolutionary origins of the endosperm in flowering plants.</a> Genome Biol. 3, reviews1026 (2002).</li><li>Debeaujon, I., Lepiniec, L., Pourcel, L., Routaboul, J. -. M., Bradford, K., Nonogaki, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Seed development, dormancy and germination. , 25-43 (2007).</li><li>Finch-Savage, W. E., Leubner-Metzger, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seed+dormancy+and+the+control+of+germination.">Seed dormancy and the control of germination.</a> New Phytol. 171, 501-523 (2006).</li><li>Bethke, P. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Arabidopsis+aleurone+layer+responds+to+nitric+oxide,+gibberellin,+and+abscisic+acid+and+is+sufficient+and+necessary+for+seed+dormancy.">The Arabidopsis aleurone layer responds to nitric oxide, gibberellin, and abscisic acid and is sufficient and necessary for seed dormancy.</a> Plant Physiol. 143, 1173-1188 (2007).</li><li>Lee, K. P., Piskurewicz, U., Tureckova, V., Strnad, M., Lopez-Molina, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+seed+coat+bedding+assay+shows+that+RGL2-dependent+release+of+abscisic+acid+by+the+endosperm+controls+embryo+growth+in+Arabidopsis+dormant+seeds.">A seed coat bedding assay shows that RGL2-dependent release of abscisic acid by the endosperm controls embryo growth in Arabidopsis dormant seeds.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 107, 19108-19113 (2010).</li><li>Reed, J. W., Nagatani, A., Elich, T. D., Fagan, M., Chory, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phytochrome+A+and+Phytochrome+B+Have+Overlapping+but+Distinct+Functions+in+Arabidopsis+Development.">Phytochrome A and Phytochrome B Have Overlapping but Distinct Functions in Arabidopsis Development.</a> Plant Physiol. 104, 1139-1149 (1994).</li><li>Shinomura, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Action+spectra+for+phytochrome+A-+and+B-specific+photoinduction+of+seed+germination+in+Arabidopsis+thaliana.">Action spectra for phytochrome A- and B-specific photoinduction of seed germination in Arabidopsis thaliana.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 93, 8129-8133 (1996).</li><li>Lee, K. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spatially+and+genetically+distinct+control+of+seed+germination+by+phytochromes+A+and+B.">Spatially and genetically distinct control of seed germination by phytochromes A and B.</a> Genes Dev. 26, 1984-1996 (2012).</li><li>Lee, K. P., Lopez-Molina, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Control+of+seed+germination+in+the+shade.">Control of seed germination in the shade.</a> Cell Cycle. 11, 4489-4490 (2012).</li><li>Piskurewicz, U., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+gibberellic+acid+signaling+repressor+RGL2+inhibits+Arabidopsis+seed+germination+by+stimulating+abscisic+acid+synthesis+and+ABI5+activity.">The gibberellic acid signaling repressor RGL2 inhibits Arabidopsis seed germination by stimulating abscisic acid synthesis and ABI5 activity.</a> Plant Cell. 20, 2729-2745 (2008).</li><li>Piskurewicz, U., Tureckova, V., Lacombe, E., Lopez-Molina, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Far-red+light+inhibits+germination+through+DELLA-dependent+stimulation+of+ABA+synthesis+and+ABI3+activity.">Far-red light inhibits germination through DELLA-dependent stimulation of ABA synthesis and ABI3 activity.</a> EMBO J. 28, 2259-2271 (2009).</li><li>Debeaujon, I., Koornneef, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gibberellin+requirement+for+Arabidopsis+seed+germination+is+determined+both+by+testa+characteristics+and+embryonic+abscisic+acid.">Gibberellin requirement for Arabidopsis seed germination is determined both by testa characteristics and embryonic abscisic acid.</a> Plant Physiol. 122, 415-424 (2000).</li><li>Sun, T. P., Kamiya, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Arabidopsis+GA1+locus+encodes+the+cyclase+ent-kaurene+synthetase+A+of+gibberellin+biosynthesis.">The Arabidopsis GA1 locus encodes the cyclase ent-kaurene synthetase A of gibberellin biosynthesis.</a> Plant Cell. 6, 1509-1518 (1994).</li><li>Alonso, J. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genome-wide+insertional+mutagenesis+of+Arabidopsis+thaliana.">Genome-wide insertional mutagenesis of Arabidopsis thaliana.</a> Science. 301, 653-657 (2003).</li><li>Rook, F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impaired+sucrose-induction+mutants+reveal+the+modulation+of+sugar-induced+starch+biosynthetic+gene+expression+by+abscisic+acid+signalling.">Impaired sucrose-induction mutants reveal the modulation of sugar-induced starch biosynthetic gene expression by abscisic acid signalling.</a> Plant J. 26, 421-433 (2001).</li></ol>

The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

The seed coat bedding assay (SCBA) procedure described here is in principle applicable to any circumstance where Arabidopsis seed germination is blocked (or delayed) and where the endosperm is suspected to implement this arrest. The latter can be evidenced by removing the seed coat (testa and endosperm) and observing that embryonic growth proceeds faster relative to that observed when embryos are surrounded by the seed coat. Germination may be blocked in response to particular environmental physical parameters (...

In Arabidopsis mature seeds, the seed coat is composed of the testa, an external layer of dead tissue of maternal origin, and the endosperm, a single cell layer of live tissue directly surrounding the embryo1. The endosperm and the embryo are derived from separate fertilization events: the endosperm is a triploid tissue with two maternal and one paternal genome whereas the embryo is a diploid tissue with one maternal and one paternal genome2.
The main function traditionally assigned to the endosperm is that of a nutritive tissue. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that the endosperm also plays a central role to control seed germination. This notion became first apparent in the case of dormancy, a trait exhibited by newly produced seeds. Dormant seeds fail to germinate despite the presence of favorable germination conditions. Seeds lose their dormancy after a ripening period and become nondormant, i.e. they will germinate when exposed to favorable germination conditions. In many plant species, including the model plant Arabidopsis, the seed coat is absolutely required to prevent the germination of dormant seeds since seed coat removal triggers embryonic growth and greening3,4. In Arabidopsis, Bethke et al. observed that germination remained repressed after removing the testa while maintaining the endosperm surrounding the endosperm5. These observations strongly indicated that the endosperm is the tissue within the seed coat exerting a repressive activity on the embryo. However, seed coat removal experiments do not necessarily help clarifying the nature of the germination repressive activity provided by the seed coat nor identifying the genes that implement it.
We recently introduced a seed coat bedding assay (SCBA) where seed coats and embryos are physically separated but kept in close proximity so that the germination repressive activity provided by the endosperm is maintained6. The SCBA allows the combinatorial use of dormant, nondormant, and genetically modified seed coat and embryonic materials. As a result, the genetic pathways controlling germination and specifically operating in the endosperm and embryo can be dissected. The SCBA was used in the context of dormancy to show that the endosperm releases the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) towards the embryo to repress its growth6. Furthermore we could use the SCBA to identify the signaling pathways operating in endosperm and embryonic tissues to promote dormancy.
The role of the endosperm to control germination was further strengthened by considering the case of nondormant seeds exposed to a pulse of far red (FR) light. Early upon seed imbibition a FR light pulse is known to inhibit germination7,8. When seed coats were removed from seeds a pulse of FR light was unable to inhibit germination, strongly suggesting that the endosperm can also repress the germination of nondormant seeds 9. Remarkably, the SCBA could also be used to recapitulate FR-dependent inhibition of germination. This allowed to show that that FR-dependent inhibition of seed germination is also a process involving ABA release from the endosperm9. Furthermore, the SCBA allowed identifying the different light-signaling pathways operating in the endosperm and the embryo to control nondormant seed germination in response to light cues9,10.
The SCBA appears therefore to be a reliable technique to explore the function of the endosperm in the context of the control of seed germination. It is also a powerful tool to assess in vitro whether genes suspected to control germination operate in the endosperm, the embryo or both tissues. Here we detail the various steps required to assemble a SCBA.

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Name of Reagent/Material</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>To refer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thermomixer Comfort</td>
			<td>Eppendorf AG</td>
			<td>5355 000.011</td>
			<td>Eppendorf AG, Hamburg, Germany</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vacusafe Comfort</td>
			<td>INTEGRA Biosciences AG</td>
			<td>158 310</td>
			<td>Integra Biosciences AG, Zizers, Switzerland</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Petri dish plate (100 mm x 20 mm)</td>
			<td>Greiner Bio-One GmbH</td>
			<td>664 102</td>
			<td>Greiner Bio-One GmbH, Frickenhausen, Germany</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Murashige and Skoog</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>M5524</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MES</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>M3671</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Agar (plant agar)</td>
			<td>Duchefa Biochemie B.V.</td>
			<td>P1001</td>
			<td>Duchefa Biochemie, Haarlem, Netherlands</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont forceps #5</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools GmbH</td>
			<td>11251-10</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools GmbH, Heidelberg Germany</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe needle</td>
			<td>BD Micro-Fine</td>
			<td>324827</td>
			<td>BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ USA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nylon mesh (SEFAR NYTEX)</td>
			<td>SEFAR AG</td>
			<td>03-50/31</td>
			<td>Sefar AG, Heiden, Switzerland</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Growth chamber</td>
			<td>CLF Plant Climatics</td>
			<td>Percival I-30BLLX</td>
			<td>CLF plant Climatics, Wertingen, Germany</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paclobutrazol</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>46046</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a seed coat bedding assay to genetically explore in vitro how the endosperm controls seed germination in arabidopsis thaliana

The Arabidopsis endosperm consists of a single cell layer surrounding the mature embryo and playing an essential role to prevent the germination of dormant seeds or that of nondormant seeds irradiated by a far red (FR) light pulse. In order to further gain insight into the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying the germination repressive activity exerted by the endosperm, a &#34;seed coat bedding&#34; assay (SCBA) was devised. The SCBA is a dissection procedure physically separating seed coats and embryos from seeds, which allows monitoring the growth of embryos on an underlying layer of seed coats. Remarkably, the SCBA reconstitutes the germination repressive activities of the seed coat in the context of seed dormancy and FR-dependent control of seed germination. Since the SCBA allows the combinatorial use of dormant, nondormant and genetically modified seed coat and embryonic materials, the genetic pathways controlling germination and specifically operating in the endosperm and embryo can be dissected. Here we detail the procedure to assemble a SCBA.

Previous work showed that mutant seeds unable to synthesize GA were unable to germinate as a result of high ABA accumulation in seeds 11,12. However, inability to germinate requires the seed coat since its removal triggers embryonic growth13. This strongly indicated that the endosperm of seeds unable to synthesize GA is releasing ABA to block embryonic growth. We therefore expect seeds coats unable to synthesize GA to block the growth of embryos in a SCBA unlike seed coats unable to synthesize GA an...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Seed Coat Bedding Assay to Genetically Explore In Vitro How the Endosperm Controls Seed Germination in Arabidopsis thaliana at JoVE.com

A Seed Coat Bedding Assay to Genetically Explore In Vitro How the Endosperm Controls Seed Germination in Arabidopsis thaliana

We present the procedure to assemble a seed coat bedding assay (SCBA) from Arabidopsis thaliana seeds. The SCBA was shown to be a powerful tool to explore genetically and in vitro how the endosperm controls seed germination in dormant seeds and in response to light cues. The SCBA is in principle applicable under any situation where the endosperm is suspected to influence embryonic growth.

A Seed Coat Bedding Assay to Genetically Explore In Vitro How the Endosperm Controls Seed Germination in Arabidopsis thaliana

The Arabidopsis endosperm consists of a single cell layer surrounding the mature embryo and playing an essential role to prevent the germination of ...

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13.2K Views.  Université de Genève. We present the procedure to assemble a seed coat bedding assay (SCBA) from Arabidopsis thaliana seeds. The SCBA was shown to be a powerful tool to explore genetically and in vitro how the endosperm controls seed germination in dormant seeds and in response to light cues. The SCBA is in principle applicable under any situation where the endosperm is suspected to influence embryonic growth.

Video: A Seed Coat Bedding Assay to Genetically Explore In Vitro How the Endosperm Controls Seed Germination in Arabidopsis thaliana

Use of Arabidopsis eceriferum Mutants to Explore Plant Cuticle Biosynthesis

The plant cuticle is a waxy outer covering on plants that has a primary role in water conservation, but is also an important barrier against the entry of pathogenic microorganisms.  The cuticle is made up of a tough crosslinked polymer called "cutin" and a protective wax layer that seals the plant surface.  The waxy layer of the cuticle is obvious on many plants, appearing as a shiny film on the ivy leaf or as a dusty outer covering on the surface of a grape or a cabbage leaf thanks to light scattering crystals present in the wax.  Because the cuticle is an essential adaptation of plants to a terrestrial environment, understanding the genes involved in plant cuticle formation has applications in both agriculture and forestry. Today, we'll show the analysis of plant cuticle mutants identified by forward and reverse genetics approaches.


The plant cuticle is a waxy outer covering on plants that has a primary role in water conservation but is also an important barrier against the entry of pathogenic microorganisms. In this video, we demonstrate the analysis of plant cuticle mutants identified by forward and reverse genetics approaches.

The plant cuticle is a waxy outer covering on plants that has a primary role in water conservation, but is also an important barrier against the entry of ...

Determination of DNA Methylation of Imprinted Genes in Arabidopsis Endosperm

Arabidopsis thaliana is an excellent model organism for studying epigenetic mechanisms. One of the reasons is the loss-of-function null mutant of DNA methyltransferases is viable, thus providing a system to study how loss of DNA methylation in a genome affects growth and development. Imprinting refers to differential expression of maternal and paternal alleles and plays an important role in reproduction development in both mammal and plants. DNA methylation is critical for determining whether the maternal or paternal alleles of an imprinted gene is expressed or silenced. In flowering plants, there is a double fertilization event in reproduction: one sperm cell fertilizes the egg cell to form embryo and a second sperm fuses with the central cell to give rise to endosperm. Endosperm is the tissue where imprinting occurs in plants. MEDEA, a SET domain Polycomb group gene, and FWA, a transcription factor regulating flowering, are the first two genes shown to be imprinted in endosperm and their expression is controlled by DNA methylation and demethylation in plants. In order to determine imprinting status of a gene and methylation pattern in endosperm, we need to be able to isolate endosperm first. Since seed is tiny in Arabidopsis, it remains challenging to isolate Arabidopsis endosperm and examine its methylation. In this video protocol, we report how to conduct a genetic cross, to isolate endosperm tissue from seeds, and to determine the methylation status by bisulfite sequencing.

Determination of DNA Methylation of Imprinted Genes in Arabidopsis Endosperm

Imprinting is a phenomenon in plant and mammal reproduction. DNA methylation plays an important role in mechanisms of imprinting. Isolating endosperm and determining methylation status of imprinted genes in Arabidopsis can be difficult. In this protocol, we describe how to isolate endosperm and determine methylation by bisulfite sequencing.

Arabidopsis thaliana is an excellent model organism for studying epigenetic mechanisms. One of the reasons is the loss-of-function null mutant of DNA ...

A High-content Imaging Workflow to Study Grb2 Signaling Complexes by Expression Cloning

Signal transduction by growth factor receptors is essential for cells to maintain proliferation and differentiation and requires tight control. Signal transduction is initiated by binding of an external ligand to a transmembrane receptor and activation of downstream signaling cascades. A key regulator of mitogenic signaling is Grb2, a modular protein composed of an internal SH2 (Src Homology 2) domain flanked by two SH3 domains that lacks enzymatic activity. Grb2 is constitutively associated with the GTPase Son-Of-Sevenless (SOS) via its N-terminal SH3 domain. The SH2 domain of Grb2 binds to growth factor receptors at phosphorylated tyrosine residues thus coupling receptor activation to the SOS-Ras-MAP kinase signaling cascade. In addition, other roles for Grb2 as a positive or negative regulator of signaling and receptor endocytosis have been described. The modular composition of Grb2 suggests that it can dock to a variety of receptors and transduce signals along a multitude of different pathways1-3.
	Described here is a simple microscopy assay that monitors recruitment of Grb2 to the plasma membrane. It is adapted from an assay that measures changes in sub-cellular localization of green-fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Grb2 in response to a stimulus4-6. Plasma membrane receptors that bind Grb2 such as activated Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) recruit GFP-Grb2 to the plasma membrane upon cDNA expression and subsequently relocate to endosomal compartments in the cell. In order to identify in vivo protein complexes of Grb2, this technique can be used to perform a genome-wide high-content screen based on changes in Grb2 sub-cellular localization. The preparation of cDNA expression clones, transfection and image acquisition are described in detail below. Compared to other genomic methods used to identify protein interaction partners, such as yeast-two-hybrid, this technique allows the visualization of protein complexes in mammalian cells at the sub-cellular site of interaction by a simple microscopy-based assay. Hence both qualitative features, such as patterns of localization can be assessed, as well as the quantitative strength of the interaction.

A high-content screening method for the identification of novel signaling competent transmembrane receptors is described. This method is amenable to large-scale automation and allows predictions about in vivo protein binding and the sub-cellular localization of protein complexes in mammalian cells.

Signal  transduction by growth factor receptors is essential for cells to maintain  proliferation and differentiation and requires tight control. Signal  ...

Analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana Growth Behavior in Different Light Qualities

Plant biologists often need to observe the growth behavior of their chosen species. To this end, the plants need constant environmental and stable light conditions, which are preferably variable in quantity and quality so that studies under different setups can be conducted. These requirements are met by climatic chambers featuring light emitting diodes (LED) lights, which can &#8211; in contrast to fluorescent lights &#8211; be set to different wavelengths. LEDs are energy conserving and emit virtually no heat even at light intensities, which often constitutes a problem with other light sources. The presented protocol provides a step-by-step guidance of how to program a climatic chamber equipped with variable LED lights as well as describing several approaches for in depth analysis of growth phenotypes. Depending on the experimental set-up various characteristics of the growing plants can be observed and analyzed. Here we describe how to determine fresh weight, leaf area, photosynthetic activity, and stomatal density. We demonstrate that in order to obtain reliable data and draw valid conclusions it is mandatory to use a sufficient number of individuals for statistical evaluation. Taking too few plants for this kind of analysis results in high statistical errors and consequently in less clear interpretations of the data.

Analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana Growth Behavior in Different Light Qualities

Here, we present a protocol for studying plant growth behavior and especially phenotypes in a reproducible manner. We show how to provide variable and at the same time stable light conditions. Proper analyses depend on sufficient sample numbers and valid statistical evaluations.

Plant biologists often need to observe the growth behavior of their chosen species. To this end, the plants need constant environmental and stable light ...

A Simple Dry Sectioning Method for Obtaining Whole-Seed-Sized Resin Section and Its Applications

The morphology, size and quantity of cells, starch granules&#160;and protein bodies in seed determine the weight and quality of seed. They are significantly different among different regions of seed. In order to view the morphologies of cells, starch granules and protein bodies clearly, and quantitatively analyze their morphology parameters accurately, the whole-seed-sized section is needed. Though the whole-seed-sized paraffin section can investigate the accumulation of storage materials in seeds, it is very difficult to quantitatively analyze the morphology parameters of cells and storage materials due to the low resolution of the thick section. The thin resin section has high resolution, but the routine resin sectioning method is not suitable to prepare the whole-seed-sized section of mature seeds with a large volume and high starch content. In this study, we present a simple dry sectioning method for preparing the whole-seed-sized resin section. The technique can prepare the cross and longitudinal whole-seed-sized sections of developing, mature, germinated, and cooked seeds embedded in LR White resin, even for large seeds with high starch content. The whole-seed-sized section can be stained with fluorescent brightener 28, iodine, and Coomassie brilliant blue R250 to specifically exhibit the morphology of cells, starch granules, and protein bodies clearly, respectively. The image obtained can also be analyzed quantitatively to show the morphology parameters of cells, starch granules, and protein bodies in different regions of seed.

This technique allows for the fast and simple preparation of whole-seed-sized resin section for the observation and analysis of cells, starch granules, and protein bodies in different regions of the seed.

The morphology, size and quantity of cells, starch granules&#160;and protein bodies in seed determine the weight and quality of seed. They are ...

Analysis of Effect of Compound Salt Stress on Seed Germination and Salt Tolerance Analysis of Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

To determine the salt tolerance and physiological mechanism of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) at the germination stage, the Hongtianhu 101 and Xinxiang 8 varieties, which have large differences in salt tolerance, are employed as the study materials. Six mixed salt concentrations of 0, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g/L derived using equal molar ratios of Na2CO3, NaHCO3, NaCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, MgSO4, and Na2SO4 are used. To determine their effects, the related indexes of seed germination, seedling growth, and physiology are measured, and salt tolerance is comprehensively evaluated using membership function analysis. The results show that as the mixed salt concentration increases, the germination potential, germination index, germination rate, seed germination vigor index, root length, and root fresh weight of the two cultivars significantly decrease, whereas the relative salt rate gradually increases. The hypocotyl length and fresh weight aboveground increase first and then decrease, while the malondialdehyde (MDA), proline (Pro) content, catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity decrease and then increase. The germination potential, germination index, germination rate, seed germination vigor index, root length, root fresh weight, MDA and Pro content, and CAT activity of the Hongtianhu 101 seeds are higher than those of Xinxiang 8 for all salt concentrations employed here. However, hypocotyl length, fresh weight aboveground, and relative salt rate are lower in Hongtianhu 101 than in Xinxiang 8. The comprehensive evaluation of salt tolerance reveals that the total weighted values of the two membership function indexes increase first and then decrease as the mixed salt concentration increases. Compared with 5 g/L, which has the highest membership function value, the index under salt concentrations of 3 g/L, 10 g/L, and 15 g/L decreases by 4.7%-11.1%, 25.3%-28.3%, and 41.4%-45.1%, respectively. This study provides theoretical guidance for the breeding of salt-tolerant varieties of pepper and an analysis of the physiological mechanisms involved in salt tolerance and salt-tolerant cultivation.

Analysis of Effect of Compound Salt Stress on Seed Germination and Salt Tolerance Analysis of Pepper Capsicum annuum L.

The paper below presents a protocol for measuring seed germination, seedling growth, and physiological indexes of two pepper varieties with salinity tolerance differences in response to six mixed salt concentrations. This protocol can be used to evaluate the salt tolerance of pepper varieties.

To determine the salt tolerance and physiological mechanism of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) at the germination stage, the Hongtianhu 101 and Xinxiang 8 ...

Spatiotemporal Investigation of ERL1 Dynamics via Confocal Imaging

Image-Based Methods to Study Membrane Trafficking Events in Stomatal Lineage Cells

In eukaryotic cells, membrane components, including proteins and lipids, are spatiotemporally transported to their destination within the endomembrane system. This includes the secretory transport of newly synthesized proteins to the cell surface or the outside of the cell, the endocytic transport of extracellular cargoes or plasma membrane components into the cell, and the recycling or shuttling transport of cargoes between the subcellular organelles, etc. Membrane trafficking events are crucial to the development, growth, and environmental adaptation of all eukaryotic cells and, thus, are under stringent regulation. Cell-surface receptor kinases, which perceive ligand signals from the extracellular space, undergo both secretory and endocytic transport. Commonly used approaches to study the membrane trafficking events using a plasma membrane-localized leucine-rich-repeat receptor kinase, ERL1, are described here. The approaches include plant material preparation, pharmacological treatment, and confocal imaging setup. To monitor the spatiotemporal regulation of ERL1, this study describes the co-localization analysis between ERL1 and a multi-vesicular body marker protein, RFP-Ara7, the time series analysis of these two proteins, and the z-stack analysis of ERL1-YFP treated with the membrane trafficking inhibitors brefeldin A and wortmannin.

Author Spotlight: Image-Based Methods to Study Membrane Trafficking Events in Stomatal Lineage Cells  

Several commonly used methods are introduced here to study the membrane trafficking events of a plasma membrane receptor kinase. This manuscript describes detailed protocols including the plant material preparation, pharmacological treatment, and confocal imaging setup.

In eukaryotic cells, membrane components, including proteins and lipids, are spatiotemporally transported to their destination within the endomembrane ...

Investigating Zinc Transport Mechanism in Mammalian Cells with FluoZin-3 Assay

Characterizing Mammalian Zinc Transporters Using an In Vitro Zinc Transport Assay

Transition metals such as Zn2+ ions must be tightly regulated due to their cellular toxicity. Previously, the activity of Zn2+ transporters was measured indirectly by determining the expression level of the transporter under different concentrations of Zn2+. This was done by utilizing immunohistochemistry, measuring mRNA in the tissue, or determining the cellular Zn2+ levels. With the development of intracellular Zn2+ sensors, the activities of zinc transporters are currently primarily determined by correlating changes in intracellular Zn2+, detected using fluorescent probes, with the expression of the Zn2+ transporters. However, even today, only a few labs monitor dynamic changes in intracellular Zn2+ and use it to measure the activity of zinc transporters directly. Part of the problem is that out of the 10 zinc transporters of the ZnT family, except for ZnT10 (transports manganese), only zinc transporter 1 (ZnT1) is localized at the plasma membrane. Therefore, linking the transport activity to changes in the intracellular Zn2+ concentration is hard. This article describes a direct way to determine the zinc transport kinetics using an assay based on a zinc-specific fluorescent dye, FluoZin-3. This dye is loaded into mammalian cells in its ester form and then trapped in the cytosol due to cellular di-esterase activity. The cells are loaded with Zn2+ by utilizing the Zn2+ ionophore pyrithione. The ZnT1 activity is assessed from the linear part of the reduction in fluorescence following the cell washout. The fluorescence measured at an excitation of 470 nm and emission of 520 nm is proportional to the free intracellular Zn2+. Selecting the cells expressing ZnT1 tagged with the mCherry fluorophore allows for monitoring only the cells expressing the transporter. This assay is used to investigate the contribution of different domains of ZnT1 protein to the transport mechanism of human ZnT1, a eukaryotic transmembrane protein that extrudes excess zinc from the cell.

Author Spotlight: Exploring Cellular Zinc Regulation Through ZnT1 Functionality 

Zinc transport has proven challenging to measure due to the weak causal links to protein function and the low temporal resolution. This protocol describes a method for monitoring, with high temporal resolution, Zn2+ extrusion from living cells by utilizing a Zn2+ sensitive fluorescent dye, thus providing a direct measure of Zn2+ efflux.

Transition metals such as Zn2+ ions must be tightly regulated due to their cellular toxicity. Previously, the activity of Zn2+ transporters was measured ...

An Improved Method to Measure Pollen Hydration Profiles in Arabidopsis thaliana

A High-Resolution, Single-Grain, In Vivo Pollen Hydration Bioassay for Arabidopsis thaliana

Sexual reproduction in flowering plants requires initial interaction between the pollen grain and the stigmatic surface, where a molecular dialog is established between the interacting partners. Studies across a range of species have revealed that a series of molecular checkpoints regulate the pollen-stigma interaction to ensure that only compatible, generally intraspecific pollen is successful in effecting fertilization. In species that possess a 'dry stigma', such as the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the first post-pollination, prezygotic compatibility checkpoint is the establishment of pollen hydration. 
This phase of pollination is tightly regulated, whereby signals from the pollen grain elicit the release of water from the stigma, thus permitting pollen hydration. The ability to accurately measure and track pollen hydration over time is key to the design of experiments directed at understanding the regulation of this critical step in reproduction. Published protocols frequently utilize flowers that have been excised from the parent plant, maintained on liquid or solid media, and bulk pollinated. 
This paper describes a noninvasive, in vivo pollination bioassay that permits minute-by-minute hydration tracking of individual A. thaliana pollen grains at high resolution. The assay is highly reproducible, able to detect very subtle variations of pollen hydration profiles, and thus is suitable for the analysis of mutants that affect pathways regulating pollination. Although the protocol is lengthier than those described for bulk pollinations, the precision and reproducibility it provides, along with its in vivo nature, make it ideal for the detailed dissection of pollination phenotypes.

Author Spotlight: A High-Resolution, Single-Grain, In Vivo Pollen Hydration Bioassay for Arabidopsis thaliana  

An improved method to measure pollen hydration profiles in Arabidopsis thaliana is described here. The new method offers higher resolution, is noninvasive, and is highly reproducible. The protocol represents a new tool for a finer dissection of the processes that regulate the early stages of pollination.

Sexual reproduction in flowering plants requires initial interaction between the pollen grain and the stigmatic surface, where a molecular dialog is ...