Ectopic expression of a Chlamydomonas mt+-specific homeodomain protein in mt- gametes initiates zygote development without gamete fusion.

ABSTRACT: The molecular mechanisms that activate expression of zygote genes after fertilization are obscure. In animals, receptor-ligand interactions during sperm-egg membrane fusion as well as delivery of putative regulatory molecules by the sperm into the egg cytoplasm are proposed to activate zygote development and subsequent transcription of zygote genes. The mechanisms of activation of zygote development in higher plants also are mysterious, in part because of the difficulty of isolating female gametes of higher plants. In the unicellular, biflagellated green alga Chlamydomonas, the early steps in zygote development are much more accessible to investigation. Within minutes after mating type plus (mt+) and mating type minus (mt-) gametes fuse, expression of several zygote-specific transcripts is

SUBMITTER: Zhao H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC312805 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature