Transcriptome profiling reveals gene regulatory network governing seed size in Brassica napus

Dynamic gene regulatory networks controlling seed size were mapped across four developmental stages and three seed organs in Brassica napus, highlighting key regulators including ABI5 and BRI1.

• Why it matters: Seed size strongly affects oilseed yield and quality, yet its genetic and molecular control in polyploid Brassica napus remains unclear.
• What they did: Transcriptome profiling compared Brassica napus var. Zhongshuang (ZS11) and Brassica napus cv. Ragged Jack (RJ) across heart, torpedo, green, and mature stages in seed coat, embryo, and endosperm, using differential expression to infer GRNs.
• The result: The analysis identified dynamic GRNs and key regulators, including ABI5, BRI1, and novel candidates KNAT5, ARF11, SUS2, UGT72B1, UGT89A2, and SBT1.7, providing resources for future seed-size breeding in polyploid oilseed crops.

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