Expression profiling of certain MADS-box genes in Arabidopsis thaliana plant treated with silver nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been shown to enhance seed germination and plant growth. In this study, we examined the plant response to AgNP dosage using a model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. Seedlings were treated with different concentrations of AgNPs. Seedling fresh and dry weights were measured for all treatments. The exposure of plants to 1 mg/l AgNPs resulted in a significant increase in seedling fresh and dry weights compared with control plants, although the exposure to lower and higher concentrations resulted in a decrease in fresh and dry weights. Expression profiling for 22 MADS-box genes was carried out using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Among the investigated MADS-box genes, eight genes were upregulated and four genes were downregulated at each of the AgNP concentrations, 0.1 and 1 mg/l. Revealing the effects of AgNPs on the expression of MADS-box genes will increase our knowledge of their role before implementing a large-scale agricultural utilization of AgNPs in the improvement of plant growth and development.