Epigenetic regulation of reproductive development and the emergence of apomixis in angiosperms.
Apomictic plants reproduce asexually through seeds by avoiding both meiosis and fertilization. While apomixis is genetically controlled, individual loci contributing to its expression have yet to be identified. Here, we review recent results indicating that RNA-dependent DNA methylation pathways acting during female reproduction are essential for proper reproductive development in plants, and may represent key regulators of the differentiation between apomictic and sexual reproduction.
Institut de Recherche pour Développement, UMR 232, URL5300, Université de Montpellier II, 34394 Montpellier, France. daniel.grimanelli@ird.fr
Daniel
D
Grimanelli
D060832:Apomixis / Q000235:genetics*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development*; D056771:Ovule / Q000254:growth & development; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics
D018749:RNA, Plant