Molecular intricacies of modulating seed dormancy through CRISPR/Cas9 technology

Abstract

The processes of seed development, maturation, and dormancy acquisition are complex and tightly regulated, and play a critical role in plant survival and propagation. Over the past decades, significant advances have been made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms that govern these intricate processes. The interplay among hormone signaling, epigenetic regulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and environmental cues has been recognized as central to determining seed fate. Despite these advancements, many molecular components remain to be fully discovered. Recent developments in CRISPR-based gene-editing technologies have provided promising tools for the precise regulation of seed dormancy without compromising other seed traits. Although CRISPR has been effectively utilized to modify genes controlling physiological characteristics in a wide range of crops, its application in regulating dormancy remains at an early stage. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the molecular and genetic mechanisms controlling seed maturation, dormancy acquisition and germination, with particular emphasis on emerging CRISPR-based strategies. Realizing this potential, however, requires a deeper understanding of the complex regulatory networks orchestrating seed dormancy acquisition and germination. Identifying optimal gene targets and refining editing strategies will be crucial for developing reliable and sustainable dormancy-control systems. Therefore, we highlight key gene targets, summarize their functional relevance, and discuss how genome editing could be leveraged to fine-tune dormancy and germination behaviour. The studies discussed herein underscore the transformative potential of CRISPR/Cas9 and related genome-editing platforms in advancing seed biology and crop improvement, paving the way for next-generation seed technologies.