Molecular analysis of ERF subfamily genes during coffee somatic embryogenesis

Abstract

With ample cultivation and economic potential, coffee is one of the main commodities in the world. Despite its vast cultivation, there remain problems related to its productivity as a consequence of pests and diseases, questions regarding its physiology, and difficulty with its propagation. Due to such challenges, the application of biotechnological tools, such as tissue culture and molecular markers, has become essential in the search for improvements to coffee cultivation. Among tissue culture techniques, somatic embryogenesis is considered the best form of micropropagation in vitro since it is possible to produce plants that are identical to the parent plant. It is therefore essential to identify the genes involved in the process of somatic embryogenesis, as well as to understand their functions. Different studies have shown the expression of ethylene response factor (ERF) genes in different tissues and under different conditions, mainly in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little is known about their role during somatic embryogenesis. Thus, this study is aimed to identify and analyze the expression patterns of ERF subfamily genes during Coffea arabica L. somatic embryogenesis. The EST-contig6, 9, and 27 were confirmed to be the ethylene response factor 8, 13, and 12 genes from Coffea arabica L., respectively, and their relative expression analysis suggests that they may be involved in coffee somatic embryogenesis. The expression patterns of ethylene response factor 8 and 13 in embryogenic calluses and embryogenic cell suspensions showed that these genes can potentially act as somatic embryogenic markers.