title: Multiple roles for small RNAs during plant reproduction.
abstract: Germline development and early embryogenesis in eukaryotes are characterized by large-scale genome reprogramming events. In companion cells of the Arabidopsis male gametophyte, epigenome reorganization leads to loss of heterochromatin and production of a distinct small RNA (sRNA) population. A specific class of sRNA derived from transposons appears to be mobile and can accumulate in germ cells. In the germline of maize, rice, and Arabidopsis, specific ARGONAUTE-sRNA silencing complexes appear to play key roles in reproductive development, including meiosis and regulation of germ cell fate. These results reveal new roles for sRNAs during plant reproduction and suggest that mobility of sRNAs could be critical for some of these functions.
authors.affiliation: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Ex
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Martienssen
mesh_terms: D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena / Q000235:genetics*; D034622:RNA Interference; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics; D012639:Seeds
chemical_list: D018749:RNA, Plant; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering