title: Histone deacetylase AtHDA7 is required for female gametophyte and embryo development in Arabidopsis.
abstract: Histone modifications are involved in the regulation of many processes in eukaryotic development. In this work, we provide evidence that AtHDA7, a HISTONE DEACETYLASE (HDAC) of the Reduced Potassium Dependency3 (RPD3) superfamily, is crucial for female gametophyte development and embryogenesis in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Silencing of AtHDA7 causes degeneration of micropylar nuclei at the stage of four-nucleate embryo sac and delay in the progression of embryo development, thereby bringing the seed set down in the Athda7-2 mutant. Furthermore, AtHDA7 down- and up-regulation lead to a delay of growth in postgermination and later developmental stages. The Athda7-2 mutation that induces histone hyperacetylation significantly increases the transcription of other HDACs (AtHDA6 and AtHDA9). Moreover, silencing of AtHDA7 affects the expression of ARABIDOPSIS HOMOLOG OF SEPARASE (AtAESP), previously demonstrated to be involved in female gametophyte and embryo development. However, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis with acetylated H3 antibody provided evidence that the acetylation levels of H3 at AtAESP and HDACs does not change in the mutant. Further investigations are essential to ascertain the mechanism by which AtHDA7 affects female gametophyte and embryo development.
authors.affiliation: National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Plant Genetics, Research Division Portici, 80055 Portici, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo Aiese
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cigliano
authors.forename: Gaetana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cremona
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paparo
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Termolino
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perrella
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gutzat
authors.forename: Maria Federica
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Consiglio
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Conicella
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D006655:Histone Deacetylases