Programmed cell death in triticale endosperm during grain filling.

In order to investigate the progression of endosperm programmed cell death(PCD) in triticale,we observed the endosperm PCD,starch accumulation,the changes of ABA content and ethylene production rate.Additionally,we compared the predicted amino acid sequences of animal and plant Defender Against cell Death-1(DAD-1),analysed the phylogenetic relationships of DAD-1.The results indicated that the development of triticale endosperm was companied by the progression of PCD.The pattern of starch accumulation rate and ABA content based on single kernel showed similar unimodal curves during triticale grain filling.The ethylene production rate decreased after 15 DPA.The predicted amino acid sequences of DAD-1 of partial plant and animal were homologous.The period between initial detection of PCD to its rapid increase overlaps with the stages of rapid starch accumulation during endosperm development.The timing and progression of PCD in triticale endosperm may interfere with starch synthesis and accumulation.