title: Endosperm transfer cell-specific genes and proteins: structure, function and applications in biotechnology.
abstract: Endosperm transfer cells (ETC) are one of four main types of cells in endosperm. A characteristic feature of ETC is the presence of cell wall in-growths that create an enlarged plasma membrane surface area. This specialized cell structure is important for the specific function of ETC, which is to transfer nutrients from maternal vascular tissue to endosperm. ETC-specific genes are of particular interest to plant biotechnologists, who use genetic engineering to improve grain quality and yield characteristics of important field crops. The success of molecular biology-based approaches to manipulating ETC function is dependent on a thorough understanding of the functions of ETC-specific genes and ETC-specific promoters. The aim of this review is to summarize the existing data on structure and function of ETC-specific genes and their products. Potential applications of ETC-specific genes, and in particular their promoters for biotechnology will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, University of Adelaide Glen Osmond, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Sergiy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lopato
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, University of Adelaide Glen Osmond, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Nikolai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Borisjuk
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, University of Adelaide Glen Osmond, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Langridge
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, University of Adelaide Glen Osmond, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hrmova
keywords: biotechnology; endosperm transfer cells; invertase; lipid transfer protein; two-component system