Nature Genetics 38, 63 - 67 (2006)
Published online: 27 November 2005; | doi:10.1038/ng1694
A positive signal from the fertilization of the egg cell sets off endosperm proliferation in angiosperm embryogenesisMoritz K Nowack1, Paul E Grini2, Marc J Jakoby1, Marcel Lafos3, Csaba Koncz3
& Arp Schnittger11
Unigruppe am Max-Planck-Institut für Züchtungsforschung, Max-Delbrück-Laboratorium, Lehrstuhl für Botanik III, Universität Köln, Carl-von-Linné-Weg 10, D-50829 Köln, Germany. 2
Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1041 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway. 3
Max-Planck-Institut für Züchtungsforschung, Carl-von-Linné-Weg 10, D-50829 Köln, Germany.
Correspondence should be addressed to Arp Schnittger schnitt@mpiz-koeln.mpg.de Double fertilization of the egg cell and the central cell by one sperm cell each produces the diploid embryo and the typically triploid endosperm and is one of the defining characteristics of flowering plants (angiosperms). Endosperm and embryo develop in parallel to form the mature seed, but little is known about the coordination between these two organisms. We characterized a mutation of the Arabidopsis thaliana Cdc2 homolog CDC2A (also called CDKA;1), which has a paternal effect. In cdc2a mutant pollen, only one sperm cell, instead of two, is produced. Mutant pollen is viable but can fertilize only one cell in the embryo sac, allowing for a genetic dissection of the double fertilization process. We observed exclusive fertilization of the egg cell by cdc2a sperm cells. Moreover, we found that unfertilized endosperm developed, suggesting that a previously unrecognized positive signal from the fertilization of the egg cell initiates proliferation of the central cell.
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