Endosperm cell death promoted by NAC transcription factors facilitates embryo invasion in Arabidopsis.

ABSTRACT: In flowering plants, two fertilization products develop within the limited space of the seed: the embryo and the surrounding nutritive endosperm. The final size of the endosperm is modulated by the degree of embryo growth. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the endosperm expands rapidly after fertilization, but later gets invaded by the embryo that occupies most of the seed volume at maturity, surrounded by a single remaining aleurone-like endosperm layer.^1,2,3,4 Embryo invasion is facilitated by the endosperm-expressed bHLH-type transcription factor ZHOUPI, which promotes weakening of endosperm cell walls.^5,6 Endosperm elimination in zou mutants is delayed, and embryo growth is severely aff

SUBMITTER: Doll NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7615161 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature