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Article
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Autophagy-mediated degradation of integumentary tapetum is critical for embryo pattern formation
A seed consists of an embryo, endosperm, and seed coat. Here the authors show that autophagy plays a crucial role in regulating timely programmed cell death in the innermost seed coat, thereby influencing embryo pattern formation and seed viability.
- Lin-lin Zhao
- , Ru Chen
- & Peng Zhao
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Article
| Open Access
MADS1-regulated lemma and awn development benefits barley yield
HvMADS1 in barley positively regulates awn length and lemma width by promoting cell proliferation through direct action on the expression of HvSHI and HvDL. In wheat, MADS1 conservatively regulates awn length.
- Yueya Zhang
- , Chaoqun Shen
- & Dabing Zhang
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Article
| Open Access
Spatial transcriptomics uncover sucrose post-phloem transport during maize kernel development
Maize kernels have long intrigued researchers due to their complex structure. Through microscopic sectioning and spatial transcriptomics, the authors observed the spatial distribution of RNA through electronic RNA in situ hybridization maps and discovered how storage accumulation occurs.
- Yuxin Fu
- , Wenxin Xiao
- & Wenqin Wang
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Article
| Open Access
A VEL3 histone deacetylase complex establishes a maternal epigenetic state controlling progeny seed dormancy
Mother plants play an important role in determining the dispersal characteristics of their progeny. Here the authors show that a VEL3 histone deacetylase complex establishes a maternal epigenetic state controlling progeny seed dormancy.
- Xiaochao Chen
- , Dana R. MacGregor
- & Steven Penfield
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Article
| Open Access
Evidence that endosperm turgor pressure both promotes and restricts seed growth and size
Using computational simulations and experiments, the authors propose a mechanical model of seed growth where endosperm pressure directly induces growth but indirectly inhibits it through force-dependent testa wall stiffening.
- Audrey Creff
- , Olivier Ali
- & Benoit Landrein
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Article
| Open Access
Histone H3.3 deposition in seed is essential for the post-embryonic developmental competence in Arabidopsis
Producing vigorous seeds that can germinate and establish seedlings is vital for plant propagation. Here, the authors report the critical function of histone variant H3.3 in establishing chromatin accessibility and seed vigour in Arabidopsis.
- Ting Zhao
- , Jingyun Lu
- & Danhua Jiang
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Article
| Open Access
Paternal imprinting of dosage-effect defective1 contributes to seed weight xenia in maize
Xenia effects describe the genetic contribution of pollen to seed phenotypes. Here the authors show that paternal imprinting of Ded1 contributes to the xenia effect in maize by setting the pace of endosperm development.
- Dawei Dai
- , Janaki S. Mudunkothge
- & A. Mark Settles
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Article
| Open Access
Mechanism of fertilization-induced auxin synthesis in the endosperm for seed and fruit development
In flowering plants, fertilization triggers auxin synthesis in the endosperm to promote seed and fruit development. Here the authors show that an MADS-box transcription factor AGL62 is required to activate auxin synthesis in the endosperms of Fragaria vesca, a diploid strawberry, and Arabidopsis.
- Lei Guo
- , Xi Luo
- & Zhongchi Liu
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Article
| Open Access
Sterols are required for the coordinated assembly of lipid droplets in developing seeds
Lipid droplet biogenesis originates at the endoplasmic reticulum and is defined by a specific set of lipids and proteins. Here, the authors show that sterols play an important role in coordinating oil and oleosin biosynthesis for the formation of lipid droplets in plant leaves and seeds.
- Linhui Yu
- , Jilian Fan
- & Changcheng Xu
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Article
| Open Access
LEAFY COTYLEDON1 expression in the endosperm enables embryo maturation in Arabidopsis
The LEC1 transcription factor is expressed in both embryo and endosperm during seed development. Here the authors show that LEC1 expression in the endosperm is necessary and sufficient for embryo maturation and that LEC1 protein is trafficked to the embryo to activate seed maturation.
- Jingpu Song
- , Xin Xie
- & Yuhai Cui
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Article
| Open Access
Transcriptional repression of GIF1 by the KIX-PPD-MYC repressor complex controls seed size in Arabidopsis
Seed size is an important determinant of plant yield. Here, Liu et al. show that a KIX-PPD repressor complex and MYC transcription factors interact with the G-box motif in the promoter of GRF-INTERACTING FACTOR 1 to regulate seed size by influencing cell proliferation and elongation in the integument.
- Zupei Liu
- , Na Li
- & Yunhai Li
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Article
| Open Access
Cell lineage-specific transcriptome analysis for interpreting cell fate specification of proembryos
Asymmetric division of the Arabidopsis zygote produces apical and basal cells that mainly develop into embryo and suspensor, respectively. Here, Zhou et al. show that de novo transcription and selective RNA turnover establish distinct apical and basal transcriptomes as early as the 1-cell stage of embryo development.
- Xuemei Zhou
- , Zhenzhen Liu
- & Meng-Xiang Sun
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Article
| Open Access
Maternal control of suspensor programmed cell death via gibberellin signaling
Plant embryos are connected to maternal tissue by a filamentous suspensor, analogous to an umbilical cord, but which is severed during early embryo development. Here, Shi et al. show that gibberellins can trigger suspensor cell death in tobacco via a DELLA protein that regulates expression of cell death factors.
- Ce Shi
- , Pan Luo
- & Meng-Xiang Sun
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Article
| Open Access
The Arabidopsis MIEL1 E3 ligase negatively regulates ABA signalling by promoting protein turnover of MYB96
The phytohormone abscisic acid controls plant responses to environmental stress, partly by regulating protein turnover. Here the authors propose that abscisic acid regulates seed germination by promoting degradation of the MYB96 transcription factor via the MIEL1 E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase.
- Hong Gil Lee
- & Pil Joon Seo
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Article
| Open Access
HSP90 regulates temperature-dependent seedling growth in Arabidopsis by stabilizing the auxin co-receptor F-box protein TIR1
A moderate increase in temperature promotes hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis. Here, Wang et al.show that elevated temperature not only increases auxin biosynthesis but also acts via the co-chaperones HSP90 and SGT1 to stabilize the TIR1 auxin receptor.
- Renhou Wang
- , Yi Zhang
- & Mark Estelle
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Article
| Open Access
S-nitrosylation triggers ABI5 degradation to promote seed germination and seedling growth
Nitric oxide counteracts the inhibitory effects of the plant hormone ABA during seed germination and seedling growth. Here, Albertos et al. show that nitric oxide can act antagonistically to ABA by inducing the S-nitrosylation and degradation of the ABI5 transcription factor involved in ABA signalling.
- Pablo Albertos
- , María C. Romero-Puertas
- & Oscar Lorenzo
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Article
| Open Access
SCARECROW-LIKE15 interacts with HISTONE DEACETYLASE19 and is essential for repressing the seed maturation programme
Epigenetic regulation is critical for controlling gene expression during the transition from embryo to seedling in plants. Here Gao et al. report that in Arabidopsis, the SCARECROW-LIKE15 protein physically interacts with a histone deacetylase to repress expression of embryonic traits in seedlings.
- Ming-Jun Gao
- , Xiang Li
- & Dwayne D. Hegedus
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Article
| Open Access
Arabidopsis uses two gluconeogenic gateways for organic acids to fuel seedling establishment
During seed germination plants use gluconeogenesis to mobilize noncarbohydrate energy reserves. Here Eastmond et al. show that plants, unlike other eukaryotes, do not solely rely on a gluconeogenic pathway via the enzyme PCK but also use a second pathway relying on PPDK.
- Peter J. Eastmond
- , Holly M. Astley
- & Julian M. Hibberd
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A mechanically sensitive cell layer regulates the physical properties of the Arabidopsis seed coat
Mechanical signalling is an important regulator of plant development. Here, Creff et al.propose that the perception of mechanical signals in growing seeds by a specific cell layer in the seed coat controls the accumulation of gibberellic acid and links mechanical signals to the regulation of seed size.
- Audrey Creff
- , Lysiane Brocard
- & Gwyneth Ingram
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Control of early seedling development by BES1/TPL/HDA19-mediated epigenetic regulation of ABI3
In plants, brassinosteroids (BR) counter the suppressive effect of abscisic acid (ABA) on early seedling development. Ryu et al.show that ABA regulator genes are suppressed by a complex containing the BR-activated protein BES1, a histone deacetylase, and the transcriptional corepressor TOPLESS.
- Hojin Ryu
- , Hyunwoo Cho
- & Ildoo Hwang
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Burning vegetation produces cyanohydrins that liberate cyanide and stimulate seed germination
Cyanide, a known plant defence compound, can also stimulate seed germination. Flemattiet al. show that glyceronitrile is produced in wildfire smoke, which can release cyanide and stimulate seed germination of fire-responsive plant species, thus serving as an ecological store of cyanide.
- Gavin R. Flematti
- , David J. Merritt
- & Emilio L. Ghisalberti
Identification of triacylglycerol remodeling mechanism to synthesize unusual fatty acid containing oils