Preferentially expressed endosperm genes reveal unique activities in wheat endosperm during grain filling

Abstract Background Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) endosperm contains starch and proteins, which determine the final yield, quality, and nutritional value of wheat grain. The endosperm-specific expressed genes can precisely provide targets in the endosperm for improving wheat grain quality and nutrition using modern bioengineering technologies. However, the genes specifically expressed in developing endosperms remain largely unknown. Results In this study, 315 preferentially expressed endosperm genes (PEEGs) in the spring wheat cultivar, Chinese Spring, were screened using data obtained from an open bioinformatics database, which reveals a unique grain reserve deposition process and special signal transduction in a developing wheat endosperm. Furthermore, transcription and accumulation of storage proteins in the wheat cultivar, XC26 were evaluated. The results revealed that PEEG plays a critical role in storage protein fragment deposition and is a potential candidate for modifying grain quality and nutrition. Conclusion These results provide new insights into endosperm development and candidate genes and promoters for improving wheat grain quality through genetic engineering and plant breeding techniques.