The development of plant embryology in China can be roughly divided into three stages: (1) the initial stage, (2) the stage of establishing plant embryology as a branch of plant sciences, and (3) the stage when plant...The development of plant embryology in China can be roughly divided into three stages: (1) the initial stage, (2) the stage of establishing plant embryology as a branch of plant sciences, and (3) the stage when plant embryology evolves into plant reproductive biology with its vigorous development. It is in the third stage that research work in this field in China has developed rapidly and many of the significant achievements obtained are described in more details in this review. Researches of experimental embryology are not included in this paper.展开更多
Since the very beginning of plant science, sexual plant reproduction (SPR) has proved an attractive and enduring topic for generations of botanists. With the rapid development of modern technology, a significant acc...Since the very beginning of plant science, sexual plant reproduction (SPR) has proved an attractive and enduring topic for generations of botanists. With the rapid development of modern technology, a significant acceleration has occurred in our understanding on the developmental mechanisms of plant reproductive processes, particularly the evolution of double fertilisation, signalling in pollen tube orientation, molecular characterisation of plant gametes, maternal to zygotic transitions and parental gene involvement in early embryogenesis. This is reflected not only by several recent high-ranking research papers, but also by the frequent conferences and workshops on these topics. These include the 2008 XXth International Congress on SPR in Brasilia and "Frontiers in SPR Ⅲ" in Tucson, as well as "Cell- Cell Communication in Plant Reproduction" held in 2009 in Bath. The continuing efforts from around the world indicate that SPR is still a fertile and flourishing field, with great expectations for the coming decade.展开更多
Cat’s claw creeper vine, Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) Lohmann (syn. Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) Gentry), is a major environmental weed in Australia. Two forms (“long” and “short” pod) of the weed occur in Austral...Cat’s claw creeper vine, Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) Lohmann (syn. Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) Gentry), is a major environmental weed in Australia. Two forms (“long” and “short” pod) of the weed occur in Australia. This investigation aimed to evaluate and compare germination behavior and occurrence of polyembryony (production of multiple seedlings from a single seed) in the two forms of the weed. Seeds were germinated in growth chambers set to 10/20°C, 15/25°C, 20/30°C, 30/45°C and 25°C, representing ambient temperature conditions of the region. Germination and polyembryony were monitored over a period of 12 weeks. For all the treatments in this study, seeds from the short pod form exhibited significantly higher germination rates and higher occurrence of polyembryony than those from the long pod form. Seeds from the long pod form did not germinate at the lowest temperature of 10/20°C;in contrast, those of the short pod form germinated under this condition, albeit at a lower rate. Results from this study could explain why the short pod form of D. unguis-cati is the more widely distributed form in Australia, while the long pod form is confined to a few localities. The results have implication in predicting future ranges of both forms of the invasive D. unguis-cati, as well as inform management decisions for control of the weed.展开更多
The pistil, the female reproductive organ of plants, is a key player in the success of sexual plant reproduction. Ultimately, the production of fruits and seeds depends on the proper pistil development and function. T...The pistil, the female reproductive organ of plants, is a key player in the success of sexual plant reproduction. Ultimately, the production of fruits and seeds depends on the proper pistil development and function. Therefore, the identification and characterization of pistil expressed genes is essential for a better understanding and manipulation of the plant reproduction process. For studying the function of pistil expressed genes, transgenic and/or mutant plants for the genes of interest are used. The present article provides a review of methods already exploited to analyze sexual reproductive success. We intend to supply useful information and to guide future experiments in the study of genes affecting pistil development and function.展开更多
Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous reactive oxygen species (ROS) that has evolved as a signaling hormone in many physiological processes in animals. In plants it has been demonstrated to be a crucial regulator of deve...Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous reactive oxygen species (ROS) that has evolved as a signaling hormone in many physiological processes in animals. In plants it has been demonstrated to be a crucial regulator of development, acting as a signaling molecule present at each step of the plant life cycle. NO has also been implicated as a signal in biotic and abiotic responses of plants to the environment. Remarkably, despite this plethora of effects and functional relationships, the fundamental knowledge of NO production, sensing, and transduction in plants remains largely unknown or inadequately characterized. In this review we cover the current understanding of NO production, perception, and action in different physiological sce- narios. We especially address the issues of enzymatic and chemical generation of NO in plants, NO sensing and downstream signaling, namely the putative cGMP and Ca^2+ pathways, ion-channel activity modulation, gene expression regulation, and the interface with other ROS, which can have a profound effect on both NO accumulation and function. We also focus on the importance of NO in cell-cell communication during developmental processes and sexual reproduction, namely in pollen tube guidance and embryo sac fertilization, pathogen defense, and responses to abiotic stress.展开更多
Elongation of the pollen tube in pistil is essential for delivering sperms into the female gametophyte in sexual plant reproduction. Recently, a group of cell wall enzymes, pectin methylesterases (PMEs), have been i...Elongation of the pollen tube in pistil is essential for delivering sperms into the female gametophyte in sexual plant reproduction. Recently, a group of cell wall enzymes, pectin methylesterases (PMEs), have been identified as playing an important role in this process. This article reviews the new understanding of the roles of PMEs in regulating pollen tube growth.展开更多
文摘The development of plant embryology in China can be roughly divided into three stages: (1) the initial stage, (2) the stage of establishing plant embryology as a branch of plant sciences, and (3) the stage when plant embryology evolves into plant reproductive biology with its vigorous development. It is in the third stage that research work in this field in China has developed rapidly and many of the significant achievements obtained are described in more details in this review. Researches of experimental embryology are not included in this paper.
文摘Since the very beginning of plant science, sexual plant reproduction (SPR) has proved an attractive and enduring topic for generations of botanists. With the rapid development of modern technology, a significant acceleration has occurred in our understanding on the developmental mechanisms of plant reproductive processes, particularly the evolution of double fertilisation, signalling in pollen tube orientation, molecular characterisation of plant gametes, maternal to zygotic transitions and parental gene involvement in early embryogenesis. This is reflected not only by several recent high-ranking research papers, but also by the frequent conferences and workshops on these topics. These include the 2008 XXth International Congress on SPR in Brasilia and "Frontiers in SPR Ⅲ" in Tucson, as well as "Cell- Cell Communication in Plant Reproduction" held in 2009 in Bath. The continuing efforts from around the world indicate that SPR is still a fertile and flourishing field, with great expectations for the coming decade.
文摘Cat’s claw creeper vine, Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) Lohmann (syn. Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) Gentry), is a major environmental weed in Australia. Two forms (“long” and “short” pod) of the weed occur in Australia. This investigation aimed to evaluate and compare germination behavior and occurrence of polyembryony (production of multiple seedlings from a single seed) in the two forms of the weed. Seeds were germinated in growth chambers set to 10/20°C, 15/25°C, 20/30°C, 30/45°C and 25°C, representing ambient temperature conditions of the region. Germination and polyembryony were monitored over a period of 12 weeks. For all the treatments in this study, seeds from the short pod form exhibited significantly higher germination rates and higher occurrence of polyembryony than those from the long pod form. Seeds from the long pod form did not germinate at the lowest temperature of 10/20°C;in contrast, those of the short pod form germinated under this condition, albeit at a lower rate. Results from this study could explain why the short pod form of D. unguis-cati is the more widely distributed form in Australia, while the long pod form is confined to a few localities. The results have implication in predicting future ranges of both forms of the invasive D. unguis-cati, as well as inform management decisions for control of the weed.
基金Supported by grants from Fundao de Amparo à Pesquisa no Estado de So Paulo – Brazil(FAPESP no. 06/54431-9)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) – Brazil. CPG Calixto was supported by a fellowship from FAPESP.
文摘The pistil, the female reproductive organ of plants, is a key player in the success of sexual plant reproduction. Ultimately, the production of fruits and seeds depends on the proper pistil development and function. Therefore, the identification and characterization of pistil expressed genes is essential for a better understanding and manipulation of the plant reproduction process. For studying the function of pistil expressed genes, transgenic and/or mutant plants for the genes of interest are used. The present article provides a review of methods already exploited to analyze sexual reproductive success. We intend to supply useful information and to guide future experiments in the study of genes affecting pistil development and function.
文摘Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous reactive oxygen species (ROS) that has evolved as a signaling hormone in many physiological processes in animals. In plants it has been demonstrated to be a crucial regulator of development, acting as a signaling molecule present at each step of the plant life cycle. NO has also been implicated as a signal in biotic and abiotic responses of plants to the environment. Remarkably, despite this plethora of effects and functional relationships, the fundamental knowledge of NO production, sensing, and transduction in plants remains largely unknown or inadequately characterized. In this review we cover the current understanding of NO production, perception, and action in different physiological sce- narios. We especially address the issues of enzymatic and chemical generation of NO in plants, NO sensing and downstream signaling, namely the putative cGMP and Ca^2+ pathways, ion-channel activity modulation, gene expression regulation, and the interface with other ROS, which can have a profound effect on both NO accumulation and function. We also focus on the importance of NO in cell-cell communication during developmental processes and sexual reproduction, namely in pollen tube guidance and embryo sac fertilization, pathogen defense, and responses to abiotic stress.
基金Supported by the Talent Introduction Program of China Agricultural University. Publication of this paper is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30624808) and Science Publication Foundation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
文摘Elongation of the pollen tube in pistil is essential for delivering sperms into the female gametophyte in sexual plant reproduction. Recently, a group of cell wall enzymes, pectin methylesterases (PMEs), have been identified as playing an important role in this process. This article reviews the new understanding of the roles of PMEs in regulating pollen tube growth.