Molecular timekeepers: the curious alliance of redox, repair, and protective proteins in preserving seed longevity

Abstract

Seed longevity-the ability of seeds to remain viable over time-is an evolutionary masterpiece, ensuring plant survival across generations and in the face of environmental variability. Desiccation-tolerant (orthodox) seeds, representative of most crop species, possess the ability to survive programmed drying during maturation, thereby entering a metabolically inactive state. This anhydrobiotic state serves to prolong embryo viability and shield against adverse environmental conditions. While programmed drying is essential for seed preservation, it can result in oxidative and macromolecular damage, which is exacerbated by fluctuations in temperature and humidity during storage. Consequently, this cumulative damage to deoxyribonucleic acid, proteins, and cellular structures can jeopardize seed viability if not adequately repaired. Seed longevity is therefore dependent not merely on passive resistance by molecular stabilizers but on an active repair mechanism that is initiated upon rehydration. The interplay between redox homeostasis, damage repair, and cellular protective proteins forms the cornerstone of seed longevity, helping seeds retain their ability to germinate. This review delves into the converging roles of redox homeostasis, repair, and protective proteins in governing the longevity of seeds. By unraveling how these components cooperate and communicate, we gain deeper insights into the natural strategies that seeds employ to delay aging. Exploring the molecular underpinnings of seed longevity offers substantial novel genetic targets for developing crops with improved resistance to evolving climates and provides crucial insights for the conservation of plant germplasm.