Identification and characterization of genes regulating central cell and endosperm development in Arabidopsis.

摘要

Seeds are one of the most important economic and biological commodities on earth. Seeds are composed of three tissue types; the seed coat, embryo, and endosperm. Endosperm is a tissue that supports the developing embryo and is the direct or indirect source of most of the calories obtained in the human diet. Despite the seed's economic and biological importance very little is known about the molecular mechanisms regulating its development. Endosperm development is induced after fertilization of the central cell. Recent research suggests that the earliest steps of endosperm development are pre-programmed during the maturation of the central cell within the female gametophyte. In an attempt to dissect gene regulatory networks regulating central cell and endosperm development, I have carried out an expression-based screen to identify genes expressed in these tissues. In this screen, we identified 43 genes expressed predominantly in the female gametophyte. We have identified two transcription factors, AGL61 and AGL62, that play critical roles during central cell maturation and endosperm development respectively. Characterization of AGL61 and AGL62 function has contributed to our understanding of early steps during central cell and endosperm development and will serve as an entry point to defining molecular networks critical for central cell and endosperm development.