Coordination of lignin and pectin remodeling by a NAC transcription factor regulates seed abscission in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
Abstract
Seed shattering, which facilitates seed dispersal, is essential for plant reproduction but causes substantial yield loss in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). It occurs through capsule dehiscence and/or seed abscission from the placenta, either simultaneously or independently depending on the species. In this study, we investigated cell wall-associated factors underlying delayed seed abscission in the sesame cultivar Suwon195 (SW195) relative to the easy-shattering cultivar IT030100. Histological and transcriptome analyses indicated that cell wall remodeling, particularly involving pectin and lignin, contributes to the delayed abscission phenotype of SW195. SW195 showed higher pectin methylesterase activity and stronger accumulation of low-methyl-esterified homogalacturonan, together with lower polygalacturonase-associated pectin turnover, than IT030100. These changes are consistent with a pectin-remodeling state that favors wall stabilization in the SW195 abscission zone. Abscission zone lignification was also weaker in SW195. Pharmacological inhibition of lignin biosynthesis altered pectin staining and reduced seed abscission in IT030100, whereas monolignol supplementation restored both phenotypes, supporting a functional association between lignification, pectin-related wall remodeling, and abscission. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and whole-genome resequencing identified a major locus on chromosome 9 encompassing a NAC transcription factor (SiNAC; SIN_1025412) and a pectin methylesterase inhibitor (SiPMEI; SIN_1025380). Transient overexpression of SiNAC enhanced lignin biosynthesis in sesame. Together, these findings indicate that coordinated lignin deposition and pectin remodeling are associated with seed abscission in sesame and identify candidate genetic components for breeding reduced-shattering cultivars.
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BibTeX
@article{lee2026coordination,
title = {{Coordination of lignin and pectin remodeling by a NAC transcription factor regulates seed abscission in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)}},
author = {Eunsoo Lee and Jinsu Lee and Sungup Kim and Jeongeun Lee and Minsoo Han and Woo-Taek Jeon and Minsu Park and Myoung Hee Lee and Jungin Kim and Sangwoo Kim and Yeon Ju An and Eunyoung Oh and Min Young Kim and Jeong-Dong Lee and Chanseok Shin and Yuree Lee and Kwang-Soo Cho},
journal = {Plant Physiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/plphys/kiag762},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiag762},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Coordination of lignin and pectin remodeling by a NAC transcription factor regulates seed abscission in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
AU - Eunsoo Lee
AU - Jinsu Lee
AU - Sungup Kim
AU - Jeongeun Lee
AU - Minsoo Han
AU - Woo-Taek Jeon
AU - Minsu Park
AU - Myoung Hee Lee
AU - Jungin Kim
AU - Sangwoo Kim
AU - Yeon Ju An
AU - Eunyoung Oh
AU - Min Young Kim
AU - Jeong-Dong Lee
AU - Chanseok Shin
AU - Yuree Lee
AU - Kwang-Soo Cho
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
JO - Plant Physiology
DO - 10.1093/plphys/kiag762
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiag762
AB - Seed shattering, which facilitates seed dispersal, is essential for plant reproduction but causes substantial yield loss in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). It occurs through capsule dehiscence and/or seed abscission from the placenta, either simultaneously or independently depending on the species. In this study, we investigated cell wall-associated factors underlying delayed seed abscission in the sesame cultivar Suwon195 (SW195) relative to the easy-shattering cultivar IT030100. Histological and transcriptome analyses indicated that cell wall remodeling, particularly involving pectin and lignin, contributes to the delayed abscission phenotype of SW195. SW195 showed higher pectin methylesterase activity and stronger accumulation of low-methyl-esterified homogalacturonan, together with lower polygalacturonase-associated pectin turnover, than IT030100. These changes are consistent with a pectin-remodeling state that favors wall stabilization in the SW195 abscission zone. Abscission zone lignification was also weaker in SW195. Pharmacological inhibition of lignin biosynthesis altered pectin staining and reduced seed abscission in IT030100, whereas monolignol supplementation restored both phenotypes, supporting a functional association between lignification, pectin-related wall remodeling, and abscission. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and whole-genome resequencing identified a major locus on chromosome 9 encompassing a NAC transcription factor (SiNAC; SIN_1025412) and a pectin methylesterase inhibitor (SiPMEI; SIN_1025380). Transient overexpression of SiNAC enhanced lignin biosynthesis in sesame. Together, these findings indicate that coordinated lignin deposition and pectin remodeling are associated with seed abscission in sesame and identify candidate genetic components for breeding reduced-shattering cultivars.
SN - 0032-0889
SN - 1532-2548
ER -