AUTHOR=Li Wenjuan , Wang Limin , Qi Yanni , Xie Yaping , Zhao Wei , Dang Zhao , Zhang Jianping 

TITLE=Overexpression of WRINKLED1 improves the weight and oil content in seeds of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1003758

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2022.1003758

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Seeds of flax (<italic>Linum usitatissimum</italic> L.) are highly rich in both oil and linolenic acid (LIN). It is crucial for flax agricultural production to identify positive regulators of fatty acid biosynthesis. In this study, we find that WRINKLED1 transcription factors play important positive roles during flax seed oil accumulation. Two WRINKLED1 genes, <italic>LuWRI1a</italic> and <italic>LuWRI1b</italic>, were cloned from flax, and <italic>LuWRI1a</italic> was found be expressed predominantly in developing seeds during maturation. Overexpression of <italic>LuWRI1a</italic> increased seed size, weight, and oil content in Arabidopsis and increased seed storage oil content in transgenic flax without affecting seed production or seed oil quality. The rise in oil content in transgenic flax seeds was primarily attributable to the increase in seed weight, according to a correlational analysis. Furthermore, overexpression or interference of <italic>LuWRI1a</italic> upregulated the expression of genes in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway and LAFL genes, and the expression level of WRI1 was highly significantly positively associated between L1L, LEC1, and BCCP2. Our findings give a theoretical scientific foundation for the future application of genetic engineering to enhance the oil content of plant seeds.</p>