Early plant embryogenesis-dark ages or dark matter?
In nearly all flowering plants, the basic body plan is laid down during embryogenesis. In Arabidopsis, the crucial cell types are established extremely early as reflected in the stereotypic sequence of oriented cell divisions in the developing young embryo. Research into early embryogenesis was especially focused on the role of the infamous tryptophan derivative auxin in establishing embryo polarity and generating the main body axis. However, it is becoming obvious that the mere link to auxin does not provide any mechanistic understanding of early embryo patterning. Taking recent research into account, we discuss mechanisms underlying early embryonic patterning from an evolutionary perspective.
Department of Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Martin
M
Bayer
Department of Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Daniel
D
Slane
Department of Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Department of Developmental Genetics, Center for Plant Molecular Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: gerd.juergens@zmbp.uni-tuebingen.de.
Gerd
G
Jürgens
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D063245:Plant Development; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins