The Experts below are selected from a list of 4134 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Cristina Ferrandiz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the role of shi sty srs genes in organ growth and Carpel development is conserved in the distant eudicot species arabidopsis thaliana and nicotiana benthamiana
Frontiers in Plant Science, 2017Co-Authors: Africa Gomarizfernandez, Chloe Fourquin, Veronica Sanchezgerschon, Cristina FerrandizAbstract:Carpels are a distinctive feature of angiosperms, the ovule-bearing female reproductive organs that endow them with multiple selective advantages likely linked to the evolutionary success of flowering plants. Gene regulatory networks directing the development of Carpel specialized tissues and patterning have been proposed based on genetic and molecular studies carried out in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, studies on the conservation/diversification of the elements and the topology of this network are still scarce. In this work, we have studied the functional conservation of transcription factors belonging to the SHI/STY/SRS family in two distant species within the eudicots, Eschscholzia californica and Nicotiana benthamiana. We have found that the expression patterns of EcSRS-L and NbSRS-L genes during flower development are similar to each other and to those reported for Arabidopsis SHI/STY/SRS genes. We have also characterized the phenotypic effects of NbSRS-L gene inactivation and overexpression in Nicotiana. Our results support the widely conserved role of SHI/STY/SRS genes at the top of the regulatory network directing style and stigma development, specialized tissues specific to the angiosperm Carpels, at least within core eudicots, providing new insights on the possible evolutionary origin of the Carpels.
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The Role of SHI/STY/SRS Genes in Organ Growth and Carpel Development Is Conserved in the Distant Eudicot Species Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana.
Frontiers in Plant Science, 2017Co-Authors: Africa Gomariz-fernández, Chloe Fourquin, Verónica Sánchez-gerschon, Cristina FerrandizAbstract:Carpels are a distinctive feature of angiosperms, the ovule-bearing female reproductive organs that endow them with multiple selective advantages likely linked to the evolutionary success of flowering plants. Gene regulatory networks directing the development of Carpel specialized tissues and patterning have been proposed based on genetic and molecular studies carried out in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, studies on the conservation/diversification of the elements and the topology of this network are still scarce. In this work, we have studied the functional conservation of transcription factors belonging to the SHI/STY/SRS family in two distant species within the eudicots, Eschscholzia californica and Nicotiana benthamiana. We have found that the expression patterns of EcSRS-L and NbSRS-L genes during flower development are similar to each other and to those reported for Arabidopsis SHI/STY/SRS genes. We have also characterized the phenotypic effects of NbSRS-L gene inactivation and overexpression in Nicotiana. Our results support the widely conserved role of SHI/STY/SRS genes at the top of the regulatory network directing style and stigma development, specialized tissues specific to the angiosperm Carpels, at least within core eudicots, providing new insights on the possible evolutionary origin of the Carpels.
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the essential role of ngatha genes in style and stigma specification is widely conserved across eudicots
New Phytologist, 2014Co-Authors: Chloe Fourquin, Cristina FerrandizAbstract:Summary Carpel development and evolution are central issues for plant biology. The conservation of genetic functions conferring Carpel identity has been widely studied in higher plants. However, although genetic networks directing the development of characteristic features of angiosperm Carpels such as stigma and style are increasingly known in Arabidopsis thaliana, little information is available on the conservation and diversification of these networks in other species. Here, we have studied the functional conservation of NGATHA transcription factors in widely divergent species within the eudicots. We determined by in situ hybridization the expression patterns of NGATHA orthologs in Eschscholzia californica and Nicotiana benthamiana. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS)-mediated inactivation of NGATHA genes in both species was performed and different microscopy techniques were used for phenotypic characterization. We found the expression patterns of EcNGA and NbNGA genes during flower development to be highly similar to each other, as well as to those reported for Arabidopsis NGATHA genes. Inactivation of EcNGA and NbNGA also caused severe defects in style and stigma development in both species. These results demonstrate the widely conserved essential role of NGATHA genes in style and stigma specification and suggest that the angiosperm-specific NGATHA genes were likely recruited to direct a Carpel-specific developmental program.
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gynoecium patterning in arabidopsis a basic plan behind a complex structure
Annual Plant Reviews Volume 38: Fruit Development and Seed Dispersal, 2009Co-Authors: Eva Sundberg, Cristina FerrandizAbstract:The Arabidopsis gynoecium consists of two congenitally fused Carpels that, at maturity, form a bilocular chamber protecting the ovules and placentae produced by the meristematic regions of the Carpel margins. This meristematic region also gives rise to a style capped with stigmatic papillae at the apical end of the developing gynoecia and a transmitting tract that connects the stigma to the ovule-bearing chambers. Most data point towards a common evolutionary origin of leaves and Carpels and suggest that leaves can be transformed to Carpels by expressing only a few Carpel identity genes. In this review, we have therefore approached the Carpels from the leaf-like organ hidden within by stressing the parallels between leaf and Carpel development. Many of the genes with a role in leaf development were first identified by the effect their mutations cause in Carpel development, suggesting that the regulatory networks may be more robust in leaves than in the more complex and evolutionary younger Carpels. Similar genetic networks ensure the maintenance of adaxial-abaxial, proximal-distal and medial-lateral dichotomies in leaves and Carpels. Data have emerged showing that crosstalk and redundancies are characteristics of these pathways, as well as a general interplay of hormonal balances, with auxin as a major morphogen.
Xiao-fan Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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gynoecium structure and extra gynoecial pollen tube growth in an apocarpous species sagittaria trifolia alismataceae
Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2017Co-Authors: Lan Jie Huang, Xiao-fan WangAbstract:Apocarpy is regarded as an original feature obtained during the evolution of angiosperms. Compared with syncarpous plants, apocarpous plants have some adaptive disadvantages in apocarpous plants, for example, the number of offspring is lower under conditions of uneven pollen-tube distribution. However, in some apocarpous species, extra-gynoecial pollen-tube growth (EGPG) may remedy this disadvantage. We conducted micro-observations and field studies of Sagittaria trifolia, to investigate the gynoecium structure and the pathway of pollen-tube growth in the entire gynoecium. In a single-Carpel pollination experiment, we found that the extra-gynoecial pollen tubes from a Carpel of S. trifolia were able to fertilize approximately 13 Carpels. Simulated EGPG in the entire gynoecium of S. trifolia revealed that its effect on the seed set could be divided into two stages: stage of low/high-level stigmas pollination, in which the cutoff point was about 0.1. The seed set would be markedly improved during the low-level stigmas pollination stage by EGPG when the maximum distance of extra-gynoecial pollen tubes could span three Carpels, as in the present experiment. Our simulation also showed that the high pollen load could enhance the effect of EGPG on the seed set, and if the number of germinating pollen is triple the Carpel number in the gynoecium, a 100% seed set rate would be obtained when approximately 50% of the stigmas are pollinated.
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The structure and development of incompletely closed Carpels in an apocarpous species, Sagittaria trifolia (Alismataceae)
American Journal of Botany, 2014Co-Authors: Lan Jie Huang, Xiao Wen Wang, Xiao-fan WangAbstract:• Premise of the study: Carpel closure is commonly considered as a key innovation in angiosperms; however, some families continue to exhibit a variety of forms of incomplete Carpel closure. The Carpel of Sagittaria species contains an unusual structure. In this study, we confirm the closure type of the Carpel of Sagittaria trifolia and discuss its development and evolution.• Methods: Scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy of semithin sections were used to observe the development and the mature structure of the Carpel. Pollen tube growth in the Carpel and seed germination in the achene was also studied.• Key results: During late Carpel development, the middle parts of the Carpel margins underwent postgenital fusion. However, at maturity the lowest and uppermost parts of the Carpel margins remained open. The mature Carpel was incompletely closed and contained a secretion-filled canal, which extended from the stigma to the opening at the Carpel base. At that site, pollen tubes could either grow to the ovule or exit the Carpel and grow to other Carpels. The basal opening also served as an exit point for the seedling to emerge.• Conclusions: Incomplete Carpel closure by S. trifolia differs from the closure types recorded in previous studies because two entrances link the ovary in the Carpel to the outside environment. This type of Carpel closure occurs as a result of the lack of fusion of the Carpel margins at the base of the Carpel and could improve the seed set and seedling germination of S. trifolia.
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interCarpellary growth of pollen tubes in the extragynoecial compitum and its contribution to fruit set in an apocarpous species schisandra sphenanthera schisandraceae
American Journal of Botany, 2012Co-Authors: Xiao-fan WangAbstract:Premise of the study Apocarpous plants possess Carpels that are separated in the gynoecium. Extragynoecial compita, commonly occurring in basal angiosperms, have been proposed to have the potential to increase offspring quantity in apocarpous species through the interCarpellary growth of pollen tubes. To date, the impact of an extragynoecial compitum on fruit or seed set has not been studied in any species. This study investigated the pollen tube pathway between adjacent Carpels and its contribution to fruit set in Schisandra sphenanthera. Methods We investigated the fruit set ratio in the field and collected hundreds of gynoecia at their full flowering stage. Pollinated Carpel ratio and pollen tube pathway observations were performed using fluorescence optics. Key results Pollen grains germinated and tubes extended along the pseudostyle surface. Some of them turned and entered the ovules at the end of the stigmatic crest, whereas others subsequently grew into neighboring Carpels through promontory connections located at the base of the unfused Carpels. No tubes were found growing on the surface of the receptacle. More than 24 Carpels could be fertilized by pollen tubes from one Carpel through hand pollination. The pollinated Carpel ratio was significantly lower than the fruit set ratio under natural conditions. Conclusions Pollen tubes from one Carpel can easily cross in the extragynoecial compitum between the adjacent Carpels of S. sphenanthera, and this interCarpellary growth of pollen tubes can significantly increase the fruit set of apocarpous species, at least in S. sphenanthera.
Chaohai Li - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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development of incompletely fused Carpels in maize ovary revealed by mirna target gene and phytohormone analysis
Frontiers in Plant Science, 2017Co-Authors: Hongping Li, Moubiao Zhang, Jianfeng Chang, Ting Peng, Yufeng Wu, Guiliang Tang, Qun Wang, Chaohai LiAbstract:Although the molecular basis of Carpel fusion in maize ovary development remains largely unknown, increasing evidence suggests a critical role of microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, a combination of miRNA sequencing, degradome and physiological analyses was used to characterize Carpel fusion development in maize ovaries showing incompletely (IFC) and completely fused Carpels (CFC). A total of 162 known miRNAs distributed across 33 families were identified, of which 20 were differentially expressed. In addition, 53 miRNA candidates were identified, of which 10 were differentially expressed in the IFC and CFC ovaries. In degradome analysis, a total of 113 and 11 target genes were predicted for the known and novel miRNAs, respectively. Moreover, 24 (60%) target genes of the differentially expressed known miRNAs were found to code transcription factors, including auxin response factor (ARF), TB1-CYC-PCFs (TCP), APETALA2 (AP2), growth regulating factor (GRF), MYB, NAC and NF-YA, all of which have been shown to play a role in Carpel fusion development. Correlation analysis of these differentially expressed known miRNAs and their targets with phytohormone signals revealed significant correlations with at least one phytohormone signal, the main regulator of Carpel fusion development. These results suggest that incomplete Carpel fusion is partly the result of differential expression of certain miRNAs and their targets. Overall, these findings improve our knowledge of the effect of miRNA regulation on target expression, providing a useful resource for further analysis of the interactions between miRNAs, target genes and phytohormones during Carpel fusion development in maize.
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development of incompletely fused Carpels in maize ovary revealed by mirna target gene and phytohormone analysis
Frontiers in Plant Science, 2017Co-Authors: Hongping Li, Moubiao Zhang, Jianfeng Chang, Ting Peng, Yufeng Wu, Guiliang Tang, Qun Wang, Chaohai LiAbstract:Although the molecular basis of Carpel fusion in maize ovary development remains largely unknown, increasing evidence suggests a critical role of microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, a combination of miRNA sequencing, degradome and physiological analyses was used to characterize Carpel fusion development in maize ovaries showing incompletely (IFC) and completely fused Carpels (CFC). A total of 162 known miRNAs distributed across 33 families were identified, of which 20 were differentially expressed. In addition, 53 miRNA candidates were identified, of which 10 were differentially expressed in the IFC and CFC ovaries. In degradome analysis, a total of 113 and 11 target genes were predicted for the known and novel miRNAs, respectively. Moreover, 24 (60%) target genes of the differentially expressed known miRNAs were found to code transcription factors, including auxin response factor (ARF), TB1-CYC-PCFs (TCP), APETALA2 (AP2), growth regulating factor (GRF), MYB, NAC and NF-YA, all of which have been shown to play a role in Carpel fusion development. Correlation analysis of these differentially expressed known miRNAs and their targets with phytohormone signals revealed significant correlations with at least one phytohormone signal, the main regulator of Carpel fusion development. These results suggest that incomplete Carpel fusion is partly the result of differential expression of certain miRNAs and their targets. Overall, these findings improve our knowledge of the effect of miRNA regulation on target expression, providing a useful resource for further analysis of the interactions between miRNAs, target genes and phytohormones during Carpel fusion development in maize.
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differential morphology and transcriptome profile between the incompletely fused Carpels ovary and its wild type in maize
Scientific Reports, 2016Co-Authors: Hongping Li, Moubiao Zhang, Jianfeng Chang, Xiuli Hu, Yufeng Wu, Yali Zhao, Pengfei Dong, Qun Wang, Chaohai LiAbstract:We have isolated a new mutation in maize, incompletely fused Carpels (ifc), which results in an open stylar canal on the ovary and an incomplete pericarp at the top of the kernel. The maize ovary derives from the fusion of three Carpels; however, the molecular networks regulating maize Carpel fusion remain largely unclear. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on wild-type (WT) and ifc ovaries that were collected after Carpel fusion defects could be morphologically distinguished. In total, 877 differentially expressed genes were identified. Functional analysis revealed overexpression of genes related to “DNA binding”, “transcription regulation”, “hormones”, and “stress responses”. Among the 88 differentially expressed transcription factor (TF) genes, five showed a high degree of conservation (77.7–88.0% amino acid identity) of their conserved domains with genes associated with Carpel fusion deficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana, suggesting that these five genes might control Carpel fusion in maize. In addition, 30 genes encoding components of hormone synthesis and signaling pathways were differentially expressed between ifc and WT ovaries, indicating complex hormonal regulation during Carpel fusion. These results help elucidate the underlying mechanisms that regulate Carpel fusion, supporting the functional analysis of genes involved in producing this phenotype.
Chloe Fourquin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the role of shi sty srs genes in organ growth and Carpel development is conserved in the distant eudicot species arabidopsis thaliana and nicotiana benthamiana
Frontiers in Plant Science, 2017Co-Authors: Africa Gomarizfernandez, Chloe Fourquin, Veronica Sanchezgerschon, Cristina FerrandizAbstract:Carpels are a distinctive feature of angiosperms, the ovule-bearing female reproductive organs that endow them with multiple selective advantages likely linked to the evolutionary success of flowering plants. Gene regulatory networks directing the development of Carpel specialized tissues and patterning have been proposed based on genetic and molecular studies carried out in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, studies on the conservation/diversification of the elements and the topology of this network are still scarce. In this work, we have studied the functional conservation of transcription factors belonging to the SHI/STY/SRS family in two distant species within the eudicots, Eschscholzia californica and Nicotiana benthamiana. We have found that the expression patterns of EcSRS-L and NbSRS-L genes during flower development are similar to each other and to those reported for Arabidopsis SHI/STY/SRS genes. We have also characterized the phenotypic effects of NbSRS-L gene inactivation and overexpression in Nicotiana. Our results support the widely conserved role of SHI/STY/SRS genes at the top of the regulatory network directing style and stigma development, specialized tissues specific to the angiosperm Carpels, at least within core eudicots, providing new insights on the possible evolutionary origin of the Carpels.
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The Role of SHI/STY/SRS Genes in Organ Growth and Carpel Development Is Conserved in the Distant Eudicot Species Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana.
Frontiers in Plant Science, 2017Co-Authors: Africa Gomariz-fernández, Chloe Fourquin, Verónica Sánchez-gerschon, Cristina FerrandizAbstract:Carpels are a distinctive feature of angiosperms, the ovule-bearing female reproductive organs that endow them with multiple selective advantages likely linked to the evolutionary success of flowering plants. Gene regulatory networks directing the development of Carpel specialized tissues and patterning have been proposed based on genetic and molecular studies carried out in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, studies on the conservation/diversification of the elements and the topology of this network are still scarce. In this work, we have studied the functional conservation of transcription factors belonging to the SHI/STY/SRS family in two distant species within the eudicots, Eschscholzia californica and Nicotiana benthamiana. We have found that the expression patterns of EcSRS-L and NbSRS-L genes during flower development are similar to each other and to those reported for Arabidopsis SHI/STY/SRS genes. We have also characterized the phenotypic effects of NbSRS-L gene inactivation and overexpression in Nicotiana. Our results support the widely conserved role of SHI/STY/SRS genes at the top of the regulatory network directing style and stigma development, specialized tissues specific to the angiosperm Carpels, at least within core eudicots, providing new insights on the possible evolutionary origin of the Carpels.
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the essential role of ngatha genes in style and stigma specification is widely conserved across eudicots
New Phytologist, 2014Co-Authors: Chloe Fourquin, Cristina FerrandizAbstract:Summary Carpel development and evolution are central issues for plant biology. The conservation of genetic functions conferring Carpel identity has been widely studied in higher plants. However, although genetic networks directing the development of characteristic features of angiosperm Carpels such as stigma and style are increasingly known in Arabidopsis thaliana, little information is available on the conservation and diversification of these networks in other species. Here, we have studied the functional conservation of NGATHA transcription factors in widely divergent species within the eudicots. We determined by in situ hybridization the expression patterns of NGATHA orthologs in Eschscholzia californica and Nicotiana benthamiana. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS)-mediated inactivation of NGATHA genes in both species was performed and different microscopy techniques were used for phenotypic characterization. We found the expression patterns of EcNGA and NbNGA genes during flower development to be highly similar to each other, as well as to those reported for Arabidopsis NGATHA genes. Inactivation of EcNGA and NbNGA also caused severe defects in style and stigma development in both species. These results demonstrate the widely conserved essential role of NGATHA genes in style and stigma specification and suggest that the angiosperm-specific NGATHA genes were likely recruited to direct a Carpel-specific developmental program.
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Evidence that CRABS CLAW and TOUSLED have conserved their roles in Carpel development since the ancestor of the extant angiosperms
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2005Co-Authors: Chloe Fourquin, Marion Vinauger-douard, Bruno Fogliani, Christian Dumas, Charles P. ScuttAbstract:The Carpel is the female reproductive organ specific to flowering plants. We aim to define the genes that controlled Carpel development in the common ancestor of this group as a step toward determining the molecular events that were responsible for the evolution of the Carpel. CRABS CLAW (CRC) and TOUSLED (TSL) control important aspects of Carpel development in the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. The basal angiosperm species Amborella trichopoda and Cabomba aquatica very likely represent the two most early diverging groups of flowering plants. We have identified putative orthologues of CRC and TSL from A. trichopoda and C. aquatica, respectively. We demonstrate the expression patterns of these genes in Carpels to be very highly conserved, both spatially and temporally, with those of their Arabidopsis orthologues. We argue that CRC and TSL in Arabidopsis are likely to have conserved their respective roles in Carpel development since the common ancestor of the living flowering plants. We conclude that a divergent role shown for the CRC orthologue in rice, DROOPING LEAF, most probably arose specifically in the monocot lineage. We show that, in addition to its expression in Carpels, the TSL orthologue of C. aquatica is expressed in tissues that contribute to buoyancy and argue that its role in these tissues may have arisen later than its role in Carpel development.
Hongping Li - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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development of incompletely fused Carpels in maize ovary revealed by mirna target gene and phytohormone analysis
Frontiers in Plant Science, 2017Co-Authors: Hongping Li, Moubiao Zhang, Jianfeng Chang, Ting Peng, Yufeng Wu, Guiliang Tang, Qun Wang, Chaohai LiAbstract:Although the molecular basis of Carpel fusion in maize ovary development remains largely unknown, increasing evidence suggests a critical role of microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, a combination of miRNA sequencing, degradome and physiological analyses was used to characterize Carpel fusion development in maize ovaries showing incompletely (IFC) and completely fused Carpels (CFC). A total of 162 known miRNAs distributed across 33 families were identified, of which 20 were differentially expressed. In addition, 53 miRNA candidates were identified, of which 10 were differentially expressed in the IFC and CFC ovaries. In degradome analysis, a total of 113 and 11 target genes were predicted for the known and novel miRNAs, respectively. Moreover, 24 (60%) target genes of the differentially expressed known miRNAs were found to code transcription factors, including auxin response factor (ARF), TB1-CYC-PCFs (TCP), APETALA2 (AP2), growth regulating factor (GRF), MYB, NAC and NF-YA, all of which have been shown to play a role in Carpel fusion development. Correlation analysis of these differentially expressed known miRNAs and their targets with phytohormone signals revealed significant correlations with at least one phytohormone signal, the main regulator of Carpel fusion development. These results suggest that incomplete Carpel fusion is partly the result of differential expression of certain miRNAs and their targets. Overall, these findings improve our knowledge of the effect of miRNA regulation on target expression, providing a useful resource for further analysis of the interactions between miRNAs, target genes and phytohormones during Carpel fusion development in maize.
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development of incompletely fused Carpels in maize ovary revealed by mirna target gene and phytohormone analysis
Frontiers in Plant Science, 2017Co-Authors: Hongping Li, Moubiao Zhang, Jianfeng Chang, Ting Peng, Yufeng Wu, Guiliang Tang, Qun Wang, Chaohai LiAbstract:Although the molecular basis of Carpel fusion in maize ovary development remains largely unknown, increasing evidence suggests a critical role of microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, a combination of miRNA sequencing, degradome and physiological analyses was used to characterize Carpel fusion development in maize ovaries showing incompletely (IFC) and completely fused Carpels (CFC). A total of 162 known miRNAs distributed across 33 families were identified, of which 20 were differentially expressed. In addition, 53 miRNA candidates were identified, of which 10 were differentially expressed in the IFC and CFC ovaries. In degradome analysis, a total of 113 and 11 target genes were predicted for the known and novel miRNAs, respectively. Moreover, 24 (60%) target genes of the differentially expressed known miRNAs were found to code transcription factors, including auxin response factor (ARF), TB1-CYC-PCFs (TCP), APETALA2 (AP2), growth regulating factor (GRF), MYB, NAC and NF-YA, all of which have been shown to play a role in Carpel fusion development. Correlation analysis of these differentially expressed known miRNAs and their targets with phytohormone signals revealed significant correlations with at least one phytohormone signal, the main regulator of Carpel fusion development. These results suggest that incomplete Carpel fusion is partly the result of differential expression of certain miRNAs and their targets. Overall, these findings improve our knowledge of the effect of miRNA regulation on target expression, providing a useful resource for further analysis of the interactions between miRNAs, target genes and phytohormones during Carpel fusion development in maize.
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differential morphology and transcriptome profile between the incompletely fused Carpels ovary and its wild type in maize
Scientific Reports, 2016Co-Authors: Hongping Li, Moubiao Zhang, Jianfeng Chang, Xiuli Hu, Yufeng Wu, Yali Zhao, Pengfei Dong, Qun Wang, Chaohai LiAbstract:We have isolated a new mutation in maize, incompletely fused Carpels (ifc), which results in an open stylar canal on the ovary and an incomplete pericarp at the top of the kernel. The maize ovary derives from the fusion of three Carpels; however, the molecular networks regulating maize Carpel fusion remain largely unclear. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on wild-type (WT) and ifc ovaries that were collected after Carpel fusion defects could be morphologically distinguished. In total, 877 differentially expressed genes were identified. Functional analysis revealed overexpression of genes related to “DNA binding”, “transcription regulation”, “hormones”, and “stress responses”. Among the 88 differentially expressed transcription factor (TF) genes, five showed a high degree of conservation (77.7–88.0% amino acid identity) of their conserved domains with genes associated with Carpel fusion deficiency in Arabidopsis thaliana, suggesting that these five genes might control Carpel fusion in maize. In addition, 30 genes encoding components of hormone synthesis and signaling pathways were differentially expressed between ifc and WT ovaries, indicating complex hormonal regulation during Carpel fusion. These results help elucidate the underlying mechanisms that regulate Carpel fusion, supporting the functional analysis of genes involved in producing this phenotype.