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Review
. 2023 Mar 16;24(6):5660.
doi: 10.3390/ijms24065660.

Seedlessness Trait and Genome Editing-A Review

Md Moniruzzaman  1 , Ahmed G Darwish  1   2 , Ahmed Ismail  1   3   4 , Ashraf El-Kereamy  3 , Violeta Tsolova  1 , Islam El-Sharkawy  1
Affiliations
Review

Seedlessness Trait and Genome Editing-A Review

Md Moniruzzaman et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Parthenocarpy and stenospermocarpy are the two mechanisms underlying the seedless fruit set program. Seedless fruit occurs naturally and can be produced using hormone application, crossbreeding, or ploidy breeding. However, the two types of breeding are time-consuming and sometimes ineffective due to interspecies hybridization barriers or the absence of appropriate parental genotypes to use in the breeding process. The genetic engineering approach provides a better prospect, which can be explored based on an understanding of the genetic causes underlying the seedlessness trait. For instance, CRISPR/Cas is a comprehensive and precise technology. The prerequisite for using the strategy to induce seedlessness is identifying the crucial master gene or transcription factor liable for seed formation/development. In this review, we primarily explored the seedlessness mechanisms and identified the potential candidate genes underlying seed development. We also discussed the CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing approaches and their improvements.

Keywords: CRISPR/Cas; genome editing; molecular breeding; ovule abortion; parthenocarpy; seedlessness; stenospermocarpy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Close-up cluster views of Thompson seeded mutant (DVIT 1334), Thompson seedless, and Centennial seedless grape genotypes exhibiting seeded, stenospermocarpy, and parthenocarpy fruit set programs, respectively.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic model of hormonal regulation of seedless fruit set. Parthenocarpy is obtained either by exogenous treatments or by genetic manipulations of phytohormones. Gene names in red boxes represent the gene loss-of-function mutation or downregulation that causes parthenocarpy or stenospermocarpy seedlessness. The gene name in the red boxes could be identified in Table 1. GA20ox (GA 20 oxidase) and GA3ox (GA 3 oxidase), GA biosynthetic genes; GA2ox (GA 2 oxidase), a GA catabolic enzyme; CKX7 (cytokinin oxidases/dehydrogenases), a CK-degrading enzyme; and PHE1 (PHERES1), a type I MADS-box gene.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Close-up cluster view of muscadine cultivars Majesty (female flower, seeded), Noble (perfect flower, seeded), and Fry seedless (perfect flower, parthenocarpy seedless).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Visual scheme of gaining the seedlessness trait using genetic engineering (CRISPR/Cas) strategy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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