The end of temptation: the elimination of persistent synergid cell identity. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maruyama, Daisuke; Higashiyama, Tetsuya
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in plant biology. Volume 34(2016)
• Page Start: 122
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Plant molecular biology -- Periodicals; 571.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2016.10.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-5266

Abstract

Highlights: Pollen tube attraction is terminated by the inactivation of persistent synergids. Persistent synergids are fused with the fertilized central cell or endosperm. The fertilized egg regulates synergid nucleus degeneration via ethylene signaling. Polycomb proteins and an AGP are required for synergid nucleus degeneration. Abstract : In flowering plants, sexual reproduction culminates in double fertilization, which occurs after an ovule receives two sperm cells from a single pollen tube. Recent progress in pollen tube guidance, as well as analyses of fertilization-defective mutants, have highlighted a post-fertilization event that rapidly terminates pollen tube attraction. This event plays a crucial role in ensuring a one-to-one fertilization system between males and females. This phenomenon is controlled by the activity of persistent synergid cells, which secrete peptides that attract and thus guide the pollen tube. This review briefly introduces new findings on cell biology and signaling pathways that regulate the unique inactivation mechanism of persistent synergid cells.