title: The DC1-domain protein VACUOLELESS GAMETOPHYTES is essential for development of female and male gametophytes in Arabidopsis.
abstract: In this work we identified VACUOLELESS GAMETOPHYTES (VLG) as a DC1 domain-containing protein present in the endomembrane system and essential for development of both female and male gametophytes. VLG was originally annotated as a gene coding for a protein of unknown function containing DC1 domains. DC1 domains are cysteine- and histidine-rich zinc finger domains found exclusively in the plant kingdom that have been named on the basis of similarity with the C1 domain present in protein kinase C (PKC). In Arabidopsis, both male and female gametophytes are characterized by the formation of a large vacuole early in development; this is absent in vlg mutant plants. As a consequence, development is arrested in embryo sacs and pollen grains at the first mitotic division. VLG is specifically located in multivesicular bodies or pre-vacuolar compartments, and our results suggest that vesicular fusion is affected in the mutants, disrupting vacuole formation. Supporting this idea, AtPVA12 - a member of the SNARE vesicle-associated protein family and previously related to a sterol-binding protein, was identified as a VLG interactor. A role for VLG is proposed mediating vesicular fusion in plants as part of the sterol trafficking machinery required for vacuole biogenesis in plants.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, IIB-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3250 Cuarto Nivel, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Sebastián
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Ippólito
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, IIB-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3250 Cuarto Nivel, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Leonardo Agustín
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, IIB-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3250 Cuarto Nivel, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Claudia Anahí
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Casalongué
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, IIB-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3250 Cuarto Nivel, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Gabriela Carolina
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Pagnussat
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, IIB-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3250 Cuarto Nivel, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Diego Fernando
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3666-0185
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Fiol
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D056771:Ovule / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D011058:Pollen / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D011493:Protein Kinase C
keywords: 
  Arabidopsis thaliana
  ; DC1 domain; development; embryo sac; gametogenesis; megagametogenesis; microgametogenesis; pollen; vacuole biogenesis