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- Title
Apomixis and Gene Expression in Boechera.
- Authors
Hofmann, Nancy R.
- Abstract
This article discusses the phenomenon of apomixis, which is the ability of plants to produce seeds without fertilization or meiosis. Apomixis can lead to genetically identical progeny and has the potential to greatly reduce costs associated with seed production. The mechanisms underlying the transition from sexual reproduction to apomixis are not well understood, but it is believed to be associated with polyploidy and hybridization. The article presents a study that compares gene expression during ovule development in sexual and apomictic species of the Boechera genus, providing insights into the role of heterochrony in promoting apomixis. The results suggest that events during megaspore mother cell development may be important in the switch from sexual reproduction to apomixis. Transcription factors were also found to be overrepresented among apomixis-specific genes, indicating large-scale regulatory changes in apomictic ovules. This research provides a foundation for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying apomixis.
- Subjects
GENE expression; APOMIXIS; POLYPLOIDY; OVULES; HETEROSIS; PLANT genetics; STEM cells
- Publication
Plant Cell, 2010, Vol 22, Issue 3, p539
- ISSN
1040-4651
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1105/tpc.110.220312