Triphosphate Tunnel Metalloenzyme 2 Acts as a Downstream Factor of ABI4 in ABA-Mediated Seed Germination

Abstract

Seed germination is a complex process that is regulated by various exogenous and endogenous factors, in which abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role. The triphosphate tunnel metalloenzyme (TTM) superfamily exists in all living organisms, but research on its biological role is limited. Here, we reveal that TTM2 functions in ABA-mediated seed germination. Our study indicates that TTM2 expression is enhanced but repressed by ABA during seed germination. Promoted TTM2 expression in 35S::TTM2-FLAG rescues ABA-mediated inhibition of seed germination and early seedling development and ttm2 mutants exhibit lower seed germination rate and reduced cotyledon greening compared with the wild type, revealing that the repression of TTM2 expression is required for ABA-mediated inhibition of seed germination and early seedling development. Further, ABA inhibits TTM2 expression by ABA insensitive 4 (ABI4) binding of TTM2 promoter and the ABA-insensitive phenotype of abi4-1 with higher TTM2 expression can be rescued by mutation of TTM2 in abi4-1 ttm2-1 mutant, indicating that TTM2 acts downstream of ABI4. In addition, TTM1, a homolog of TTM2, is not involved in ABA-mediated regulation of seed germination. In summary, our findings reveal that TTM2 acts as a downstream factor of ABI4 in ABA-mediated seed germination and early seedling growth.