# Proteomic Analysis and Expression of Selected Genes During the Early Somatic Embryogenesis of Jatropha curcas L

## TL;DR

This study explores the molecular processes during early embryo development in Jatropha curcas, a plant useful for biofuels, to improve its growth and industrial use.

## Contribution

The study identifies key genes and proteins involved in early somatic embryogenesis in Jatropha curcas using proteomic and gene expression analyses.

## Key findings

- Globular embryos show enriched pathways in carbohydrate metabolism, protein folding, and stress response.
- BBM, AGL15, and IAA26 genes are significantly upregulated in globular embryos compared to pre-globular embryos.
- SERK expression is low and eIF3f expression remains unchanged, suggesting roles in developmental arrest.

## Abstract

Jatropha curcas L. is a shrub of the Euphorbiaceae family with non-toxic varieties found in Mexico that holds significant potential for biofuel production and other industrial applications. However, its limited in vitro regenerative capacity is a barrier to the development of productive species. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) offers a strategy to establish a regeneration system to overcome these challenges and enable genetic improvement. In this work, proteomic and gene expression analyses were utilized to identify key factors involved in SE induction in a non-toxic variety of J. curcas. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) in combination with mass spectrometry was used to compare the proteomes of pre-globular and globular somatic embryos. RT-qPCR was used for gene expression analysis of the BBM, AGL15, SERK, IAA26 and eIF3f genes. The globular stage showed enrichment in the pathways related to carbohydrate and energy metabolism, protein folding, and stress response. In addition, the gene expression analysis of selected genes revealed a significantly elevated expression of BBM, AGL15, and IAA26 in globular embryos compared to pre-globular embryos. In contrast, SERK expression was low, and eIF3f expression remained unchanged between stages. These expression patterns may contribute to developmental arrest at the globular stage. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating early SE in J. curcas and offer potential strategies for improving its propagation and industrial applications.