Work

Dual function of Arabidopsis glucan synthase‐like genes GSL8 and GSL10 in male gametophyte development and plant growth

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: Members of the glucan synthase-like (GSL) family are believed to be involved in synthesis of the cell-wall component callose in specialized locations throughout the plant. We identified two members of the Arabidopsis GSL gene family, GSL8 and GSL10, that are independently required for male gametophyte development and plant growth. Analysis of gsl8 and gsl10 mutant pollen during development revealed specific malfunctions associated with asymmetric microspore division. GSL8 and GSL10 are not essential for normal microspore growth and polarity, but play a role in entry of microspores into mitosis. Impaired function of GSL10 also leads to perturbation of microspore division symmetry, irregular callose deposition and failure of generative-cell engulfment by the cytoplasm of the vegetative cell. Silencing of GSL8 or GSL10 in transgenic lines expressing gene-specific dsRNAi constructs resulted in a dwarfed growth habit, thereby revealing additional and independent wild-type gene functions for normal plant growth.

Source: The Plant Journal

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2008.03462.x

Authors: Armin Töller, Lynette Brownfield, Christina Neu, David Twell, Paul Schulze‐Lefert

Institutions: Max Planck Society, Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, University of Leicester

Language: English

Topic: Plant Reproductive Biology

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: International Max Planck Research School for Environmental, Cellular and Molecular Microbiology, University of Leicester, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Awards: G1367798345, Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Cytokinesis Mediated by the TIO Fused Kinase