Genomic imprinting in plant embryos.
Genomic imprinting describes the expression of only one allele dependent on the parent-of-origin. This mechanism of monoallelic gene expression evolved independently in mammals and higher plants. Whereas in mammals, the phenomenon is known to affect extra-embryonic structures as well as the embryo, in plants imprinting seemed to be restricted to extra-embryonic, terminally differentiated tissue. The recent identification of parent-of-origin dependent gene expression in plant embryos indicates uncovered components and a more complex epigenetic regulatory system of genomic imprinting in plants.
Biocenter Klein Flottbek, Developmental Biology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Germany. s.scholten@botanik.uni-hamburg.de
Stefan
S
Scholten
D019175:DNA Methylation; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D018392:Genomic Imprinting / Q000502:physiology*; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics*; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics
D006657:Histones