Be my baby: patterning toward plant germ cells. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakajima, Keiji
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in plant biology. Volume 41(2018)
• Page Start: 110
• Page End: 115
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Plant molecular biology -- Periodicals; 571.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2017.11.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-5266

Abstract

Highlights: Plant germ cells are formed through tightly coordinated patterning processes. Multiple small RNA pathways restrict specification of spore mother cells. Interplay between cell cycle regulators controls the number of spore mother cells. Evolutionarily conserved RKD factors regulate egg cell differentiation in plants. Liverwort emerges as a new model species to study plant germ cell differentiation. Abstract : In flowering plants, germ cells are formed via tightly coordinated patterning processes that facilitate specification of spore mother cells and meiosis during sporogenesis, as well as functional differentiation of germ cells in gametogenesis. Studies using the conventional Arabidopsis system and the newly emerged bryophyte system have revealed novel interactions between regulatory factors that restrict the number of spore mother cells, and evolutionarily conserved factors that promote germ cell differentiation. This short review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the cellular events that lead to the formation of germ cells in plants, and highlights questions that remain to be addressed in the field.