[Genomic imprinting and seed development].
The endosperm, a seed tissue that mediates the transfer of nutrients from the maternal parent to the embryo, is an important site of imprinting in flowering plants. In Arabidopsis thaliana, three genes were identified that prevent fertilization-independent seed development: FIS1/MEDEA, FIS2 and FIS3/FIE. MEDEA (MEA), a master regulator of endosperm development, is known to be imprinted in the endosperm. FWA is also imprinted in the endosperm of the model plant Arabidopsis. The following aspects were included in the present review: the imprinting mechanism in angiosperms, the latest progress in the control of MEA and FWA imprinting, the parental conflict theory to explain imprinting, the imprinting methods and other imprinted genes found in plants.
Zhang
Wen-Wei
WW
State key laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
Cao
Shao-Xian
SX
Jiang
Ling
L
Zhu
Su-Song
SS
Wan
Jian-Min
JM
D000483:Alleles; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D018745:Genome, Plant; D018392:Genomic Imprinting / Q000235:genetics*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C118816:FIE protein, Arabidopsis; C117389:FIS2 protein, Arabidopsis; C111712:MEA protein, Arabidopsis; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors