Spatial and single-cell expression analyses reveal complex expression domains in early wheat spike development.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Wheat is important for global food security. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving spike and spikelet development can benefit the development of more productive varieties.

Results

Here we integrate single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to generate an atlas of cell clusters and expression domains during the early stages of wheat spike development. We characterize spatiotemporal expression of 99 genes by smFISH in 48,225 cells at early transition (W1.5), late double ridge (W2.5), and floret primordia stages (W3.5). These cells are grouped into 21 different expression domains, including four in the basal region of the developing spikelets and three different meristematic regions, which are cons

SUBMITTER: Xu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12516876 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature