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Molecular understanding of plant pollination, fertilization, seed development and protoplast regeneration

Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: Sexual reproduction in plants is a tightly coordinated process that underpins biodiversity, drives speciation, and serves as a foundation for modern crop improvement. Here, we synthesize recent advances in elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing major reproductive events in flowering plants, including male and female gametogenesis, pollen-pistil communication, double fertilization, embryogenesis, and endosperm-mediated seed development. We also discuss the integration of asexual propagation through protoplast regeneration, highlighting its emerging importance in plant biotechnology. Together, these insights deepen our understanding of fundamental reproductive biology and open new opportunities for the rational design of hybrid breeding systems and stress-resilient crops, with broad implications for global food security under changing climatic conditions.
DOI: 10.1007/s11427-025-3351-4
Authors: Jiang-Guo Meng, Pu Liu, Hanxian Xiong, Wei Wang, Gang Xu, Xu Xin, Zijun Lan, Changkai Ma, Na Wang, Xuecheng Zhang, Ce Shi, Shu Chang, Shu-Yan Chen, Peng-Fei Jia, Sheng Zhong, Hong-Ju Li, Yuling Jiao, Xian Sheng Zhang, Zhongnan Yang, Li-Jia Qu, Meng-Xiang Sun, Wei-Cai Yang
Institutions: Southwest University, Peking University, Center for Life Sciences, Wuhan University, State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Shandong Agricultural University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,790
OpenAlex ID: W7204910052
FWCI:
Cites: 721
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Related to: 10