Suspensor Length Determines Developmental Progression of the Embryo in Arabidopsis

The first structure that differentiates during plant embryogenesis is the extra-embryonic suspensor that positions the embryo in the lumen of the seed. A central role in nutrient transport has been ascribed to the suspensor in species with prominent suspensor structures. Little is known, however, ab...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant physiology (Bethesda) 2013-07, Vol.162 (3), p.1448-1458
Main Authors: Babu, Yashodar, Musielak, Thomas, Henschen, Agnes, Bayer, Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arabidopsis - growth & development
Arabidopsis Proteins - genetics
Arabidopsis Proteins - metabolism
Cell growth
Cell Wall - metabolism
Cell walls
Developmental delay
Developmental stages
Embryogenesis
Embryos
Endosperm
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
GENES, DEVELOPMENT, AND EVOLUTION
Genetic Complementation Test
Glycoside Hydrolases - genetics
Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases - genetics
Mutation
Phenotypes
Plants
Plants, Genetically Modified
Pollen
Polygalacturonase - genetics
Polygalacturonase - metabolism
Seedlings - genetics
Seeds - anatomy & histology
Seeds - cytology
Seeds - growth & development
Seeds - ultrastructure
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Summary:The first structure that differentiates during plant embryogenesis is the extra-embryonic suspensor that positions the embryo in the lumen of the seed. A central role in nutrient transport has been ascribed to the suspensor in species with prominent suspensor structures. Little is known, however, about what impact the size of the rather simple Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) suspensor has on embryogenesis. Here, we describe mutations in the predicted exo-polygalacturonase gene NIMNA (NMA) that lead to cell elongation defects in the early embryo and markedly reduced suspensor length. Mutant nma embryos develop slower than wild-type embryos, and we could observe a similar developmental delay in another mutant with shorter suspensors. Interestingly, for both genes, the paternal allele has a stronger influence on the embryonic phenotype. We conclude that the length of the suspensor is crucial for fast developmental progression of the embryo in Arabidopsis.
ISSN:0032-0889
1532-2548
DOI:10.1104/pp.113.217166