1
|
Vignati E, Caccamo M, Dunwell JM, Simkin AJ. Morphological Changes to Fruit Development Induced by GA 3 Application in Sweet Cherry ( Prunus avium L.). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:2052. [PMID: 39124170 PMCID: PMC11314404 DOI: 10.3390/plants13152052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Cherry (Prunus avium) fruits are important sources of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in the human diet; however, they contain a large stone, making them inconvenient to eat 'on the move' and process. The exogenous application of gibberellic acid (GA3) can induce parthenocarpy in a variety of fruits during development. Here, we showed that the application of GA3 to sweet cherry unpollinated pistils acted as a trigger for fruit set and permitted the normal formation of fruit up to a period of twenty-eight days, indicating that gibberellins are involved in the activation of the cell cycle in the ovary wall cells, leading to fruit initiation. However, after this period, fruit development ceased and developing fruit began to be excised from the branch by 35 days post treatment. This work also showed that additional signals are required for the continued development of fully mature parthenocarpic fruit in sweet cherry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Vignati
- Genetics, Genomics and Breeding, NIAB East Malling, New Road, Kent ME19 6BJ, UK;
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6EU, UK;
| | - Mario Caccamo
- Crop Bioinformatics, NIAB, 93 Lawrence Weaver Road, Cambridge CB3 0LE, UK;
| | - Jim M. Dunwell
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6EU, UK;
| | - Andrew J. Simkin
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang N, Zhan Y, Ding K, Wang L, Qi P, Ding W, Xu M, Ni J. Overexpression of the Ginkgo biloba dihydroflavonol 4-reductase gene GbDFR6 results in the self-incompatibility-like phenotypes in transgenic tobacco. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2023; 18:2163339. [PMID: 36630727 PMCID: PMC9839370 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2022.2163339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Although flavonoids play multiple roles in plant growth and development, the involvement in plant self-incompatibility (SI) have not been reported. In this research, the fertility of transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing the Ginkgo biloba dihydroflavonol 4-reductase gene, GbDFR6, were investigated. To explore the possible physiological defects leading to the failure of embryo development in transgenic tobacco plants, functions of pistils and pollen grains were examined. Transgenic pistils pollinated with pollen grains from another tobacco plants (either transgenic or wild-type), developed full of well-developed seeds. In contrast, in self-pollinated transgenic tobacco plants, pollen-tube growth was arrested in the upper part of the style, and small abnormal seeds developed without fertilization. Although the mechanism remains unclear, our research may provide a valuable method to create SI tobacco plants for breeding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kexin Ding
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lijun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng Qi
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wona Ding
- College of Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Maojun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Ni
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Qin Z, Wu YN, Li S, Zhang Y. Signaling between sporophytic integuments and developing female gametophyte during ovule development. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 335:111829. [PMID: 37574141 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Ovules are precursors of seeds and contain sporophytic integuments and gametophytic embryo sac. In Arabidopsis, embryo sac development requires highly synchronized morphogenesis of integument such that defects in integument growth often accompanies with a block in megagametogenesis, indicating that integument instructs the development of female gametophytes. In this mini review, we discuss signaling pathways through which integument cells mediate embryo sac development. We also propose ways to identify key signaling factors for the communication between integument and developing female gametophyte.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Qin
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tian'jin 300071, China
| | - Ya-Nan Wu
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tian'jin 300071, China
| | - Sha Li
- College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tian'jin 300071, China; College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zumajo-Cardona C, Aguirre M, Castillo-Bravo R, Mizzotti C, Di Marzo M, Banfi C, Mendes MA, Spillane C, Colombo L, Ezquer I. Maternal control of triploid seed development by the TRANSPARENT TESTA 8 (TT8) transcription factor in Arabidopsis thaliana. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1316. [PMID: 36693864 PMCID: PMC9873634 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28252-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The balance between parental genome dosage is critical to offspring development in both animals and plants. In some angiosperm species, despite the imbalance between maternally and paternally inherited chromosome sets, crosses between parental lines of different ploidy may result in viable offspring. However, many plant species, like Arabidopsis thaliana, present a post-zygotic reproductive barrier, known as triploid block which results in the inability of crosses between individuals of different ploidy to generate viable seeds but also, in defective development of the seed. Several paternal regulators have been proposed as active players in establishing the triploid block. Maternal regulators known to be involved in this process are some flavonoid biosynthetic (FB) genes, expressed in the innermost layer of the seed coat. Here we explore the role of selected flavonoid pathway genes in triploid block, including TRANSPARENT TESTA 4 (TT4), TRANSPARENT TESTA 7 (TT7), SEEDSTICK (STK), TRANSPARENT TESTA 16 (TT16), TT8 and TRANSPARENT TESTA 13 (TT13). This approach allowed us to detect that TT8, a bHLH transcription factor, member of this FB pathway is required for the paternal genome dosage, as loss of function tt8, leads to complete rescue of the triploid block to seed development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Zumajo-Cardona
- Dipartimento Di BioScienze, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Manuel Aguirre
- Dipartimento Di BioScienze, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.,Translational Plant & Microbial Biology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rosa Castillo-Bravo
- Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, Plant and AgriBioscience Research Centre (PABC), Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 REW4, Ireland
| | - Chiara Mizzotti
- Dipartimento Di BioScienze, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Maurizio Di Marzo
- Dipartimento Di BioScienze, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Camilla Banfi
- Dipartimento Di BioScienze, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Marta A Mendes
- Dipartimento Di BioScienze, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Charles Spillane
- Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, Plant and AgriBioscience Research Centre (PABC), Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, H91 REW4, Ireland
| | - Lucia Colombo
- Dipartimento Di BioScienze, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Ignacio Ezquer
- Dipartimento Di BioScienze, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
He S, Feng X. DNA methylation dynamics during germline development. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 64:2240-2251. [PMID: 36478632 PMCID: PMC10108260 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation plays essential homeostatic functions in eukaryotic genomes. In animals, DNA methylation is also developmentally regulated and, in turn, regulates development. In the past two decades, huge research effort has endorsed the understanding that DNA methylation plays a similar role in plant development, especially during sexual reproduction. The power of whole-genome sequencing and cell isolation techniques, as well as bioinformatics tools, have enabled recent studies to reveal dynamic changes in DNA methylation during germline development. Furthermore, the combination of these technological advances with genetics, developmental biology and cell biology tools has revealed functional methylation reprogramming events that control gene and transposon activities in flowering plant germlines. In this review, we discuss the major advances in our knowledge of DNA methylation dynamics during male and female germline development in flowering plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengbo He
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of AgricultureSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhou510642China
| | - Xiaoqi Feng
- John Innes Centre, Colney LaneNorwichNR4 7UHUK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jiang J, Stührwohldt N, Liu T, Huang Q, Li L, Zhang L, Gu H, Fan L, Zhong S, Schaller A, Qu LJ. Egg cell-secreted aspartic proteases ECS1/2 promote gamete attachment to prioritize the fertilization of egg cells over central cells in Arabidopsis. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 64:2047-2059. [PMID: 36165344 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.13371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Double fertilization is an innovative phenomenon in angiosperms, in which one sperm cell first fuses with the egg cell to produce the embryo, and then the other sperm fuses with the central cell to produce the endosperm. However, the molecular mechanism of the preferential fertilization of egg cells is poorly understood. In this study, we report that two egg cell-secreted aspartic proteases, ECS1 and ECS2, play an important role in promoting preferential fertilization of egg cells in Arabidopsis. We show that simultaneous loss of ECS1 and ECS2 function resulted in an approximately 20% reduction in fertility, which can be complemented by the full-length ECS1/2 but not by corresponding active site mutants or by secretion-defective versions of ECS1/2. Detailed phenotypic analysis revealed that the egg cell-sperm cell attachment was compromised in ecs1 ecs2 siliques. Limited pollination assays with cyclin-dependent kinase a1 (cdka;1) pollen showed that preferential egg cell fertilization was impaired in the ecs1 ecs2 mutant. Taken together, these results demonstrate that egg cells secret two aspartic proteases, ECS1 and ECS2, to facilitate the attachment of sperm cells to egg cells so that preferential fertilization of egg cells is achieved. This study reveals the molecular mechanism of preferential fertilization in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Nils Stührwohldt
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, 70593, Germany
| | - Tianxu Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Qingpei Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Ling Li
- State Key Laboratory for Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Hongya Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Liumin Fan
- State Key Laboratory for Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Sheng Zhong
- State Key Laboratory for Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Andreas Schaller
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, 70593, Germany
| | - Li-Jia Qu
- State Key Laboratory for Protein and Plant Gene Research, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Vignati E, Lipska M, Dunwell JM, Caccamo M, Simkin AJ. Options for the generation of seedless cherry, the ultimate snacking product. PLANTA 2022; 256:90. [PMID: 36171415 PMCID: PMC9519733 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-022-04005-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
This manuscript identifies cherry orthologues of genes implicated in the development of pericarpic fruit and pinpoints potential options and restrictions in the use of these targets for commercial exploitation of parthenocarpic cherry fruit. Cherry fruit contain a large stone and seed, making processing of the fruit laborious and consumption by the consumer challenging, inconvenient to eat 'on the move' and potentially dangerous for children. Availability of fruit lacking the stone and seed would be potentially transformative for the cherry industry, since such fruit would be easier to process and would increase consumer demand because of the potential reduction in costs. This review will explore the background of seedless fruit, in the context of the ambition to produce the first seedless cherry, carry out an in-depth analysis of the current literature around parthenocarpy in fruit, and discuss the available technology and potential for producing seedless cherry fruit as an 'ultimate snacking product' for the twenty-first century.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Vignati
- NIAB East Malling, Department of Genetics, Genomics and Breeding, New Road, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, UK
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6EU, UK
| | - Marzena Lipska
- NIAB East Malling, Department of Genetics, Genomics and Breeding, New Road, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, UK
| | - Jim M Dunwell
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6EU, UK
| | - Mario Caccamo
- NIAB, Cambridge Crop Research, Lawrence Weaver Road, Cambridge, CB3 0LE, UK
| | - Andrew J Simkin
- NIAB East Malling, Department of Genetics, Genomics and Breeding, New Road, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, UK.
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NJ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
D'Apice G, Moschin S, Nigris S, Ciarle R, Muto A, Bruno L, Baldan B. Identification of key regulatory genes involved in the sporophyte and gametophyte development in Ginkgo biloba ovules revealed by in situ expression analyses. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2022; 109:887-898. [PMID: 35506584 PMCID: PMC9322462 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE In Arabidopsis thaliana, the role of the most important key genes that regulate ovule development is widely known. In nonmodel species, and especially in gymnosperms, the ovule developmental processes are still quite obscure. In this study, we describe the putative roles of Ginkgo biloba orthologs of regulatory genes during ovule development. Specifically, we studied AGAMOUS (AG), AGAMOUS-like 6 (AGL6), AINTEGUMENTA (ANT), BELL1 (BEL1), Class III HD-Zip, and YABBY Ginkgo genes. METHODS We analyzed their expression domains through in situ hybridizations on two stages of ovule development: the very early stage that corresponds to the ovule primordium, still within wintering buds, and the late stage at pollination time. RESULTS GBM5 (Ginkgo ortholog of AG), GbMADS8 (ortholog of AGL6) and GbC3HDZ1-2-3 were expressed in both the stages of ovule development, while GbMADS1, GbAGL6-like genes (orthologs of AGL6), GbBEL1-2 and YABBY Ginkgo orthologs (GbiYAB1B and GbiYABC) seem mostly involved at pollination time. GbANTL1 was not expressed in the studied stages and was different from GbANTL2 and GbBEL1, which seem to be involved at both stages of ovule development. In Ginkgo, the investigated genes display patterns of expression only partially comparable to those of other studied seed plants. CONCLUSIONS The expression of most of these regulatory genes in the female gametophyte region at pollination time leads to suggest a communication between the sporophytic maternal tissue and the developing female gametophyte, as demonstrated for well-studied model angiosperms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Greta D'Apice
- Botanical GardenUniversity of PadovaPadova35123Italy
- Department of BiologyUniversity of PadovaPadova35131Italy
| | - Silvia Moschin
- Botanical GardenUniversity of PadovaPadova35123Italy
- Department of BiologyUniversity of PadovaPadova35131Italy
| | - Sebastiano Nigris
- Botanical GardenUniversity of PadovaPadova35123Italy
- Department of BiologyUniversity of PadovaPadova35131Italy
| | - Riccardo Ciarle
- Botanical GardenUniversity of PadovaPadova35123Italy
- Department of BiologyUniversity of PadovaPadova35131Italy
| | - Antonella Muto
- Department of BiologyEcology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Arcavacata of RendeCS87036Italy
| | - Leonardo Bruno
- Department of BiologyEcology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, Arcavacata of RendeCS87036Italy
| | - Barbara Baldan
- Botanical GardenUniversity of PadovaPadova35123Italy
- Department of BiologyUniversity of PadovaPadova35131Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Płachno BJ, Kapusta M, Stolarczyk P, Bogucka-Kocka A. Spatiotemporal Distribution of Homogalacturonans and Hemicelluloses in the Placentas, Ovules and Female Gametophytes of Utricularia nelumbifolia during Pollination. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030475. [PMID: 35159284 PMCID: PMC8834615 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Utricularia nelumbifolia is a large carnivorous plant that is endemic to Brazil. It forms an extra-ovular female gametophyte, which surpasses the entire micropylar canal and extends beyond the limit of the integument and invades the placenta tissues. Due to the atypical behavior of the female gametophyte, it is interesting to determine the interaction between the gametophyte and sporophytic tissue. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the placenta, the ovular tissues, the hypertrophied central cell and the integument in guiding the pollen tube in Utricularia nelumbifolia Gardner by studying the distribution of homogalacturonans and hemicelluloses. It was also determined whether the distribution of the homogalacturonans (HG) and hemicelluloses in Utricularia are dependent on pollination. The antibodies directed against the wall components (anti-pectin: JIM5, JIM7, LM19, LM20 and the anti-hemicelluloses: LM25, LM11, LM15, LM20, LM21) were used. Because both low- and high-esterified HG and xyloglucan were observed in the placenta, ovule (integument, chalaza) and female gametophyte of both pollinated and unpollinated flowers, the occurrence of these cell-wall components was not dependent on pollination. After fertilization, low methyl-esterified HGs were still observed in the cell walls of somatic cells and female gametophyte. However, in the case of high-esterified HG, the signal was weak and occurred only in the cell walls of the somatic cells. Because xyloglucans were observed in the cell walls of the synergids and egg cells, this suggests that they play a role in sexual reproduction. Utricularia nelumbifolia with an extra ovule-female gametophyte is presented as an attractive model for studying the male-female dialogue in plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz J. Płachno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 9 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-12-664-6039
| | - Małgorzata Kapusta
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, 59 Wita Stwosza St., 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Piotr Stolarczyk
- Department of Botany, Physiology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Kraków, 29 Listopada 54 Ave., 31-425 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Anna Bogucka-Kocka
- Chair and Department of Biology and Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zheljazkov VD, Semerdjieva IB, Stevens JF, Wu W, Cantrell CL, Yankova-Tsvetkova E, Koleva-Valkova LH, Stoyanova A, Astatkie T. Phytochemical Investigation and Reproductive Capacity of the Bulgarian Endemic Plant Species Marrubium friwaldskyanum Boiss. (Lamiaceae). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:114. [PMID: 35009117 PMCID: PMC8747201 DOI: 10.3390/plants11010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Marrubium friwaldskyanum Boiss (Lamiaceae) is a Bulgarian endemic species. Overall, the essential oil (EO) composition of M. friwaldskyanum was different from that of the other Marrubium species reported in the literature. The main EO constituents of M. friwaldskyanum were (E)-caryophyllene, germacrene D, and caryophyllene oxide. The effect of the harvest stage was significant only on α-copaene, (E)-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, and τ-muurolol. The concentration of α-copaene (1.26-1.83% range of the total oil), (E)-caryophyllene (31-41%), caryophyllene oxide (6.4-11.8%), and τ-muurolol (1.3-2.8%) were the highest at 2-3 pair of leaves or before flowering and lower at flowering. The harvest stage did not significantly affect the concentrations of the other six identified EO compounds β-bourbonene (1.1%), α-humulene (2.8%), germacrene D (23.3%), bicyclogermacrene (2.85%), δ-cadinene (1.1%), and spathulenol (2.8%). In a separate experiment, grinding of the biomass prior to EO extraction had a significant effect only on the concentrations of D-limonene (0.24-3.3%) and bicyclogermacrene (3.6-9.1%). Grinding in water or without water, maceration, and addition of Tween®20 had rather small effects on the EO profile. The identified EO constituents and their mean concentrations in this experiment were (E)-caryophyllene (25.4%), germacrene D (17.6%), caryophyllene oxide (9.1%), spathulenol (6.5%), τ-muurolol (5.0%), carvacrol (3.9%), α-copaene (2.5%), β-bourbonene (2.5%), δ-cadinene (2.4%), α-humulene (1.8%), and Z-β-farnesene (1.3%). Embryological studies observed anther and the development of the male gametophyte and ovule and development of the female gametophyte of M. friwaldskyanum. Furthermore, pollen and seed viability assays were conducted, and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analysis of an extract from shoots revealed the presence of 45 natural products, identified as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and (tri)terpenoids. Overall, the phytochemistry and some of the microscopic analyses distinguished this endemic species from other species in Marrubium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valtcho D. Zheljazkov
- Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, 3050 SW Campus Way, 109 Crop Science Building, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Ivanka B. Semerdjieva
- Department of Botany and Agrometeorology, Agricultural University, Mendeleev 12, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
- Department of Plant and Fungal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Jan F. Stevens
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Linus Pauling Institute, Linus Pauling Science Center 435, Oregon State University, SW Campus Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (J.F.S.); (W.W.)
| | - Wenbin Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Linus Pauling Institute, Linus Pauling Science Center 435, Oregon State University, SW Campus Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; (J.F.S.); (W.W.)
| | - Charles L. Cantrell
- National Center for Natural Products Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, University, MS 38677, USA;
| | - Elina Yankova-Tsvetkova
- Department of Plant and Fungal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Lyubka H. Koleva-Valkova
- Department of Plant Physiology, Biochemistry and Genetics, Agricultural University, Mendeleev 12, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Albena Stoyanova
- Department of Tobacco, Sugar, Vegetable and Essential Oils, Perfumery and Cosmetics, University of Food Technologies, 26 Maritza, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Tess Astatkie
- Department of Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada;
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cai B, Wang T, Fu W, Harun A, Ge X, Li Z. Dosage-Dependent Gynoecium Development and Gene Expression in Brassica napus-Orychophragmus violaceus Addition Lines. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:1766. [PMID: 34579298 PMCID: PMC8469106 DOI: 10.3390/plants10091766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Distant hybridization usually leads to female sterility of the hybrid but the mechanism behind this is poorly understood. Complete pistil abortion but normal male fertility was shown by one Brassica napus-Orychophragmus violaceus monosomic alien addition line (MA, AACC + 1 IO, 2n = 39) produced previously. To study the effect of a single O. violaceus chromosome addition on pistil development in different genetic backgrounds, hybrids between the MA and B. carinata (BBCC), B. juncea (AABB), and two synthetic hexaploids (AABBCC) were firstly produced in this study which show complete female sterility. A microspore culture was further performed to produce the haploid monosomic alien addition line (HMA, AC + 1 IO, 2n = 20) and disomic addition line (DA, AACC + 2 IO, 2n = 40) together with haploid (H, AC, 2n = 19) and double haploid (DH, AACC, 2n = 38) plants of B. napus from MA to investigate the dosage effect of the alien O. violaceus chromosome on pistil development and gene expression. Compared to MA, the development of the pistils of DA and HMA was completely or partially recovered, in which the pistils could swell and elongate to a normal shape after open pollination, although no seeds were produced. Comparative RNA-seq analyses revealed that the numbers of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly different, dosage-dependent, and consistent with the phenotypic difference in pairwise comparisons of HMA vs. H, DA vs. DH, MA vs. DH, MA vs. DA, and MA vs. HMA. The gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that a number of genes involved in the development of the gynoecium, embryo sac, ovule, and integuments. Particularly, several common DEGs for pistil development shared in HMA vs. H and DA vs. DH showed functions in genotoxic stress response, auxin transport, and signaling and adaxial/abaxial axis specification. The results provided updated information for the molecular mechanisms behind the gynoecium development of B. napus responding to the dosage of alien O. violaceus chromosomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Xianhong Ge
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, National Center of Oil Crop Improvement (Wuhan), College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (B.C.); (T.W.); (W.F.); (A.H.); (Z.L.)
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zumajo-Cardona C, Ambrose BA. Deciphering the evolution of the ovule genetic network through expression analyses in Gnetum gnemon. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2021; 128:217-230. [PMID: 33959756 PMCID: PMC8324035 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcab059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The ovule is a synapomorphy of all seed plants (gymnosperms and angiosperms); however, there are some striking differences in ovules among the major seed plant lineages, such as the number of integuments or the orientation of the ovule. The genetics involved in ovule development have been well studied in the model species Arabidopsis thaliana, which has two integuments and anatropous orientation. This study is approached from what is known in arabidopsis, focusing on the expression patterns of homologues of four genes known to be key for the proper development of the integuments in arabidopsis: AINTEGUMENTA (ANT), BELL1, (BEL1), KANADIs (KANs) and UNICORN (UCN). METHODS We used histology to describe the morphoanatomical development from ovules to seeds in Gnetum gnemon. We carried out spatiotemporal expression analyses in G. gnemon, a gymnosperm, which has a unique ovule morphology with an integument covering the nucellus, two additional envelopes where the outermost becomes fleshy as the seed matures, and an orthotropous orientation. KEY RESULTS Our anatomical and developmental descriptions provide a framework for expression analyses in the ovule of G. gnemon. Our expression results show that although ANT, KAN and UCN homologues are expressed in the inner integument, their spatiotemporal patterns differ from those found in angiosperms. Furthermore, all homologues studied here are expressed in the nucellus, revealing major differences in seed plants. Finally, no expression of the studied homologues was detected in the outer envelopes. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, these analyses provide significant comparative data that allows us to better understand the functional evolution of these gene lineages, providing a compelling framework for evolutionary and developmental studies of seeds. Our findings suggest that these genes were most likely recruited from the sporangium development network and became restricted to the integuments of angiosperm ovules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Zumajo-Cardona
- New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY, USA
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Barbara A Ambrose
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- For correspondence. E-mail
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
The Rab Geranylgeranyl Transferase Beta Subunit Is Essential for Embryo and Seed Development in Arabidopsis thaliana. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157907. [PMID: 34360673 PMCID: PMC8347404 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Auxin is a key regulator of plant development affecting the formation and maturation of reproductive structures. The apoplastic route of auxin transport engages influx and efflux facilitators from the PIN, AUX and ABCB families. The polar localization of these proteins and constant recycling from the plasma membrane to endosomes is dependent on Rab-mediated vesicular traffic. Rab proteins are anchored to membranes via posttranslational addition of two geranylgeranyl moieties by the Rab Geranylgeranyl Transferase enzyme (RGT), which consists of RGTA, RGTB and REP subunits. Here, we present data showing that seed development in the rgtb1 mutant, with decreased vesicular transport capacity, is disturbed. Both pre- and post-fertilization events are affected, leading to a decrease in seed yield. Pollen tube recognition at the stigma and its guidance to the micropyle is compromised and the seed coat forms incorrectly. Excess auxin in the sporophytic tissues of the ovule in the rgtb1 plants leads to an increased tendency of autonomous endosperm formation in unfertilized ovules and influences embryo development in a maternal sporophytic manner. The results show the importance of vesicular traffic for sexual reproduction in flowering plants, and highlight RGTB1 as a key component of sporophytic-filial signaling.
Collapse
|
14
|
Tian R, Paul P, Joshi S, Perry SE. Genetic activity during early plant embryogenesis. Biochem J 2020; 477:3743-3767. [PMID: 33045058 PMCID: PMC7557148 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20190161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Seeds are essential for human civilization, so understanding the molecular events underpinning seed development and the zygotic embryo it contains is important. In addition, the approach of somatic embryogenesis is a critical propagation and regeneration strategy to increase desirable genotypes, to develop new genetically modified plants to meet agricultural challenges, and at a basic science level, to test gene function. We briefly review some of the transcription factors (TFs) involved in establishing primary and apical meristems during zygotic embryogenesis, as well as TFs necessary and/or sufficient to drive somatic embryo programs. We focus on the model plant Arabidopsis for which many tools are available, and review as well as speculate about comparisons and contrasts between zygotic and somatic embryo processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ran Tian
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0312, U.S.A
| | - Priyanka Paul
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0312, U.S.A
| | - Sanjay Joshi
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0312, U.S.A
| | - Sharyn E. Perry
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0312, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zumajo-Cardona C, Ambrose BA. Phylogenetic analyses of key developmental genes provide insight into the complex evolution of seeds. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2020; 147:106778. [PMID: 32165160 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Gene duplication plays a decisive role in organismal diversification and in the appearance of novel structures. In plants the megagametophyte covered by the integuments, which after fertilization becomes the seed constitutes a novel structure: the ovule. In Arabidopsis thaliana, genetic mechanisms regulating ovule development, including the genetics underlying ovule initiation, ovule patterning and integument development, have been identified. Among seed plants, integuments are not only a novelty in evolution, but integuments also present an enormous morphological variation. This study is focused on the evolution of gene families that play a role in the proper morphological development of the integuments, BELL1 (BEL1), KANADIs (KAN1, KAN2, and KAN4/ATS), UNICORN (UCN) and SHORT INTEGUMENTS1 (SIN1). In Arabidopsis, BEL1 establishes the initiation of integument development. KAN1 and 2 act in the proper development of the outer integument. While ABERRANT TESTA SHAPE (ATS), is involved in the correct separation of both integuments. UCN acts in planar growth of the outer integument repressing ATS. SIN1 is involved in cell elongation in the integuments. The results of our analyses show that each of these genes has a different evolutionary history and that while gymnosperms appear to have a simpler ovule morphology, they have more homologues of these candidate genes than angiosperms. In addition, we present the conserved and novel motifs for each of these genes among seed plants and their selection constraints, which may be related to functional changes and to the diversity of ovule morphologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Zumajo-Cardona
- New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458, USA; The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Brzezicka E, Kozieradzka-Kiszkurno M. Female gametophyte development in Sedum sediforme (Jacq.) Pau (Crassulaceae): an anatomical, cytochemical and ultrastructural analysis. PROTOPLASMA 2019; 256:537-553. [PMID: 30324403 PMCID: PMC6514081 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-018-1319-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Available documentation about the development of the female gametophyte of Crassulaceae is very limited. The aim of this study was to extend the embryological knowledge of Crassulaceae by analysing the development of the embryo sac in Sedum sediforme. Transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy including Nomarski optics (DIC) were used to observe individual stages of female gametophyte development. Cytochemical staining enabled detection of lipids, insoluble polysaccharides and proteins in gametophyte cells during their formation. Their increased accumulation was observed during nucellar cell and unfunctional cell degeneration in the embryo sac at the coenocytic and cellular stages (megagametogenesis). The female gametophyte develops in anatropous, bitegmic and crassinucellate ovules. The mature embryo sac is built of seven cells but after antipodes degeneration it is formed by the egg apparatus and a central cell. The monosporic Polygonum type was observed. One megaspore mother cell (MMC) formed three cells after meiosis. A triad was formed from a functional megaspore (placed chalazally), one uninucleate megaspore and a binucleate cell located at the micropylar end. Plasmodesmata with adhering electron-dense dome were noticed in walls of the coenocytic embryo sac and in the outer walls of ephemeral antipodes. Moreover, similar to synergids, antipodes form wall ingrowths. Here, we report new structural features of the antipodal cells (the presence of plasmodesmata with an electron-dense dome) which have not been described before. This new structural observation indicates that these cells participate in substance transport and that this process can probably be additionally regulated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Brzezicka
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, 59 Wita Stwosza St., 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Kozieradzka-Kiszkurno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, 59 Wita Stwosza St., 80-308, Gdańsk, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Castillo FM, Canales J, Claude A, Calderini DF. Expansin genes expression in growing ovaries and grains of sunflower are tissue-specific and associate with final grain weight. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2018; 18:327. [PMID: 30514222 PMCID: PMC6280438 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-018-1535-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Grain weight (GW) is a key component of sunflower yield and quality, but may be limited by maternal tissues. Cell growth is influenced by expansin proteins that loosen the plant cell wall. This study aimed to identify spatio-temporal expression of EXPN genes in sunflower reproductive organ tissues (ovary, pericarp, and embryo) and evaluate correlations between reproductive organ growth and expansin genes expression. Evaluations involved eight different developmental stages, two genotypes, two source-sink treatments and two experiments. The genotypes evaluated are contrasting in GW (Alybro and confection variety RHA280) under two source-sink treatments (control and shaded) to study the interactions between grain growth and expansin genes expression. RESULTS Ovaries and grains were sampled at pre- and post-anthesis, respectively. Final GW differed between genotypes and shading treatments. Shading treatment decreased final GW by 16.4 and 19.5% in RHA280 and Alybro, respectively. Relative expression of eight expansin genes were evaluated in grain tissues. EXPN4 was the most abundant expansin in the ovary tissue, while EXPN10 and EXPN7 act predominantly in ovary and pericarp tissues, and EXPN1 and EXPN15 in the embryo tissues. CONCLUSIONS Specific expansin genes were expressed in ovary, pericarp and embryo in a tissue-specific manner. Differential expression among grain tissues was consistent between genotypes, source-sink treatments and experiments. The correlation analysis suggests that EXPN genes could be specifically involved in grain tissue extension, and their expression could be linked to grain size in sunflower.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisca M. Castillo
- Graduate School, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Plant Production and Plant Protection Institute, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Javier Canales
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandro Claude
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Daniel F. Calderini
- Plant Production and Plant Protection Institute, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
This review by Figueiredo and Köhler describes the molecular mechanisms driving seed development. They review the role of the hormone auxin for the initial development of the three seed structures and as a trigger of fertilization-independent seed development. The evolution of seeds defines a remarkable landmark in the history of land plants. A developing seed contains three genetically distinct structures: the embryo, the nourishing tissue, and the seed coat. While fertilization is necessary to initiate seed development in most plant species, apomicts have evolved mechanisms allowing seed formation independently of fertilization. Despite their socio–economical relevance, the molecular mechanisms driving seed development have only recently begun to be understood. Here we review the current knowledge on the role of the hormone auxin for the initial development of the three seed structures and as a trigger of fertilization-independent seed development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duarte D Figueiredo
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala SE-750 07, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Figueiredo DD, Batista RA, Roszak PJ, Hennig L, Köhler C. Auxin production in the endosperm drives seed coat development in Arabidopsis. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27848912 PMCID: PMC5135394 DOI: 10.7554/elife.20542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In flowering plants, seed development is initiated by the fusion of the maternal egg and central cells with two paternal sperm cells, leading to the formation of embryo and endosperm, respectively. The fertilization products are surrounded by the maternally derived seed coat, whose development prior to fertilization is blocked by epigenetic regulators belonging to the Polycomb Group (PcG) protein family. Here we show that fertilization of the central cell results in the production of auxin and most likely its export to the maternal tissues, which drives seed coat development by removing PcG function. We furthermore show that mutants for the MADS-box transcription factor AGL62 have an impaired transport of auxin from the endosperm to the integuments, which results in seed abortion. We propose that AGL62 regulates auxin transport from the endosperm to the integuments, leading to the removal of the PcG block on seed coat development. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.20542.001 The seeds of rice, wheat and other flowering plants store a variety of nutrients, largely in the form of sugars, proteins and oils. These stored reserves provide the main source of calories for humans and livestock all over the world, so they are of major social and economic importance. Seed development is an intricate process. It begins after male sperm cells fuse with female gametes inside the flower. This leads to the formation of the embryo, which will develop into a new plant, and a structure called the endosperm, which nourishes the growing embryo. A protective seed coat surrounds the embryo and endosperm, which develops from certain parts of the parent flower. In order for the seed to develop successfully, these three components have to communicate so they can coordinate their growth. Auxin is a key plant hormone that is needed for plants to grow and develop properly and is necessary for the endosperm to form. Previous research has shown that the endosperm is also required to trigger the formation of the seed coat, but the signal that triggers this process has not yet been identified. Figueiredo et al. now address this question in a small flowering plant called Arabidopsis thaliana. The experiments show that the endosperm produces auxin, which acts as a molecular signal for the seed coat to start forming. Exposing unfertilized flowers to auxin caused a seed coat to form even though the endosperm was absent. This suggests that this hormone alone is sufficient to trigger the formation of the seed coat without any other signals. Further analysis revealed that a protein called AGL62 regulates the movement of auxin to the parts of the flower that give rise to the seed coat. In the absence of AGL62, the hormone remains trapped in the endosperm and the seed coat fails to develop. The next step following on from this work is to understand how auxin moves from the endosperm to the parts of the flower that form the seed coat. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.20542.002
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duarte D Figueiredo
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rita A Batista
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Pawel J Roszak
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Hennig
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Claudia Köhler
- Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Linnean Center for Plant Biology, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wang JG, Feng C, Liu HH, Ge FR, Li S, Li HJ, Zhang Y. HAPLESS13-Mediated Trafficking of STRUBBELIG Is Critical for Ovule Development in Arabidopsis. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006269. [PMID: 27541731 PMCID: PMC4991792 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Planar morphogenesis, a distinct feature of multicellular organisms, is crucial for the development of ovule, progenitor of seeds. Both receptor-like kinases (RLKs) such as STRUBBELIG (SUB) and auxin gradient mediated by PIN-FORMED1 (PIN1) play instructive roles in this process. Fine-tuned intercellular communications between different cell layers during ovule development demands dynamic membrane distribution of these cell-surface proteins, presumably through vesicle-mediated sorting. However, the way it's achieved and the trafficking routes involved are obscure. We report that HAPLESS13 (HAP13)-mediated trafficking of SUB is critical for ovule development. HAP13 encodes the μ subunit of adaptor protein 1 (AP1) that mediates protein sorting at the trans-Golgi network/early endosome (TGN/EE). The HAP13 mutant, hap13-1, is defective in outer integument growth, resulting in exposed nucellus accompanied with impaired pollen tube guidance and reception. SUB is mis-targeted in hap13-1. However, unlike that of PIN2, the distribution of PIN1 is independent of HAP13. Genetic interference of exocytic trafficking at the TGN/EE by specifically downregulating HAP13 phenocopied the defects of hap13-1 in SUB targeting and ovule development, supporting a key role of sporophytically expressed SUB in instructing female gametogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Gang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
| | - Chong Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
| | - Hai-Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
| | - Fu-Rong Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
| | - Sha Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
| | - Hong-Ju Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|