Megasporogenesis,microsporogenesis, and female and male gametophyte development in Ziziphus jujuba Mill

Protoplasma - Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is an important fruit tree species in China. In this study, we studied the megasporogenesis, microsporogenesis, and female and male gametophyte...     

Genetic analysis of female gametophyte development and function.

The female gametophyte is an absolutely essential structure for angiosperm reproduction. It produces the egg cell and central cell (which give rise to the embryo and endosperm, respectively) and mediates several reproductive processes including pollen tube guidance, fertilization, the induction of seed development, and perhaps also maternal control of embryo development. Although much has been learned about these processes at the cytological level, specific molecules mediating and controlling megagametogenesis and female gametophyte function have not been identified. A genetic approach to the identification of such molecules has been initiated in Arabidopsis and maize. Although genetic analyses are still in their infancy, mutations affecting female gametophyte function and specific steps of megagametogenesis have already been identified. Large-scale genetic screens aimed at identifying mutants affecting every step of megagametogenesis and female gametophyte function are in progress; the characterization of genes identified in these screens should go a long way toward defining the molecules that are required for female gametophyte development and function.     

Mapping QTLs for defective female gametophyte development in an inter-subspecific cross in Oryza sativa L.

The embryo-sac is an essential structure for angiosperm reproduction. The cytological and genetic characterization of embryo-sac sterility was examined in a cross between Oryza sativa ssp. indica cv. ZYQ8 and ssp. japonica cultivar, JX17. The arrest of embryo-sac development was manifested following meiosis in the F₁ hybrid. When the megaspore carried the lethal genotype, the nucleus either failed to divide or divided only once, and the immature embryo-sac degenerated. Abortion of the embryo-sac in the indica-japonica hybrid background was not observed in their original parents, and an effect of cytoplasmic gene(s) on embryo-sac sterility in the reciprocal F₁ hybrids was not detected. Using a rice molecular linkage map based on a doubled haploid (DH) population from the cross of ZYQ8 /JX17, we mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for the defective development of the female gametophyte in backcross progenies from the DH lines. The result demonstrated that a polygenic system is involved in both megagametogenesis and postzygotic isolation in inter-subspecific hybrid rice. Received: 4 May 2000 / Accepted: 20 September 2000     

Abnormalities of female gametophyte development in apomictic bluegrass forms

The structure of female gametophytes was studied at different developmental stages in apomictic bluegrass forms (Poa badensis Haenke, P. chaixii Vill., and P. pratensis L.). The range of structural abnormalities of undifferentiated and mature embryo sacs has been described. Possible mechanisms underlying their appearance are discussed and schematic linear arrangement of differentiation zones in the embryo sac are considered.     

Microsporogenesis and development of the male gametophyte in Allium senescens L. (Liliaceae) in China

Microsporogenesis and development of the male gametophyte of Allium senescens L. were studied by use of paraffin sections. The anther was found to be four-sporangia. Its wall includes four layers: epidermis, endothecium, middle layer, and secretory tapetum. Cytokinesis during meiosis of microspore mother cells (MMCs) is successive. Most mature pollen grains are two-celled, a few are three-celled. In addition, anomalies were observed during meiosis of MMC and in uninucleate microspores, including laggard chromosomes, lagging chromosomes, anaphase bridges, and micronucleus. These anomalies are possible reasons for abortive pollen.     

Development of the male and female gametophyte in Capsicum annuum L. var. California Wonder

The study of reproductive organs and their developmental stages during sporogenesis and gametogenesis is an important step for basic and applied sciences. In this order and to develop knowledge about Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae), flower buds in different developmental stages were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The bell pepper bisexual flowers have homoantherous stamens with tetrasporangiate anthers. The pattern of anther wall formation is basic type, while previously described as dicotyledonous type. Microspore mother cells meiosis has simultaneous cytokinesis and tetrads are tetrahedral. Two-celled mature pollen grains are tricolporate with scabrate ornamentation. The gynoecium is bicarpellate and epigynous, with hemianatropous, unitegmic and tenuinucellate ovules. After megaspore mother cell meiosis, cytokinesis is simultaneous. The chalazal megaspore of the linear tetrad functions as the functional megaspore. Embryo sac development is of monosporic Polygonum type and consists of seven cells. We give the first reproductive calendar for the species that allows prognostication of gametogenesis on the basis of sporophytic parameters related to reproductive organ development and floral bud form and size. Some of these developmental characteristics should be useful for comparative studies and investigation of phylogenetic relationships within Solanaceae family.     

Germination ecology of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. and Ambrosia trifida L. biotypes suspected of glyphosate resistance

The germination ecology of Ambrosia artemisiifolia and A. trifida glyphosate susceptible biotypes sampled in marginal areas, was compared with that of the same species but different biotypes suspected of glyphosate resistance, common and giant ragweed, respectively. The suspected resistant biotypes were sampled in Roundup Ready® soybean fields. Within each weed species, the seeds of the biotype sampled in marginal area were significantly bigger and heavier than those of the biotype sampled in the soybean fields. A. artemisiifolia biotypes exhibited a similar dormancy and germination, while differences between A. trifida biotypes were observed. A. artemisiifolia biotypes showed similar threshold temperature for germination, whereas, the threshold temperature of the susceptible A. trifida biotype was half as compared to that of the resistant A. trifida biotype. No significant differences in emergence as a function of sowing depth were observed between susceptible A. artemisiifolia and suspected resistant A. trifida biotype, while at a six-cm seedling depth the emergence of the A. artemisiifolia susceptible biotype was 2.5 times higher than that of the A. trifida suspected resistant biotype. This study identified important differences in seed germination between herbicide resistant and susceptible biotypes and relates this information to the ecology of species adapted to Roundup Ready® fields. Information obtained in this study supports sustainable management strategies, with continued use of glyphosate as a possibility.     

The development of female gametophyte and antipodal embryo formation in Sedum fabaria

In Sedum fabaria, the ovule is anantropus, bitegmic and crassinucellate. The development of the nucellus conforms to the Sedum type. The development of the embryo sac is of the Allium type. The antipodal cells in unfertilized embryo sac occasionally divide and one of them forms four-celled structures resembling embryos and remaining once elongate in the form of haustoria. The entry of the pollen tube is porogamous. After division the primary endosperm nucleus forms two cells: the apical one develops into cellular endosperm according to the Acre type and the basal one acts as the endosperm haustorium of the Sempervivum type. The embryogeny corresponds to the Caryophyllad type. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Germination and emergence of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. under changing environmental conditions in China

Laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the effects of key environmental factors on germination and seedling emergence of the invasive weed Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (common ragweed) collected from Mudanjiang (temperate climate), Nanjing (temperate–subtropical) and Nanchang (subtropical) in China. Germination of seeds occurred at temperatures ranging from 5 to 40°C, under both a 12‐h photoperiod and continuous darkness. Germination success exceeded 48% in solutions with pH values between 4 and 12, with maximum rates occurring in distilled water at pH 5.57. Germination was greatly reduced in solutions with osmotic potentials below ?0.8 MPa. Accordingly, the final germination ratio exceeded 69% at <200 mmol/L NaCl, but only reached 8% at 400 mmol/L NaCl. Emergence was greater than 75% at burial seed depths of 1–4 cm; no seedlings emerged from a soil depth of 8 cm. Seeds collected from Mudanjiang, Nanjing and Nanchang had very similar germination traits, with the main differences occurring in relation to temperature. The great germination success of common ragweed over highly variable conditions throughout its Chinese distribution range explains its successful large‐scale invasion.     

八角莲大孢子发生和雌配子体形成

首次报道了八角莲(Dysosma versipellis (Hance)M.cheng)大孢子发生和雌配子体形成的过程.结果:双珠被,多为厚珠心胚珠,少数为假厚珠心,胚珠多为横生,少数为弯生;边缘胎座,子房一室,多胚珠,珠孔由两层珠被共同形成,呈"之"字形;多为单孢原,位于珠心表皮下:偶见2～3个孢原细胞位于珠心表皮下;大孢子母细胞有两种发生方式;直线形大孢子四分体,合点端的大孢子发育为功能大孢子,蓼型胚囊;成熟胚囊中,二个极核在受精前合并为次生核;三个反足细胞不发达,较早退化;"品"字形卵器极性明显,其中卵细胞与助细胞极性相反;助细胞发达,其丝状器在不同发育时期形态及大小不同,且具吸器功能.     

Gamma irradiation of the female gametophyte in cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.)

Summary We examined the prospects for using the female gametophyte irradiation technique in cabbage to reduce the number of generations needed for cytoplasm transfer. Three different crosses were used with one nuclear and two cytoplasmic male-sterile lines as female parents. The doses applied ranged from 100 to 700 Gy. Differences between the genotypes were observed only in embryo and plant production with varying dose. Several plants derived from the various experiments exhibited one or two recessive paternal markers and an aneuploid number of chromosomes, which shows an irradiation-induced loss of maternal chromosomes. However, no androgenetic haploid plant was obtained. The aneuploid plants could sometimes be backcrossed, and in one case a shift in the segregation ratio towards the paternal (non-irradiated) phenotype was observed. We concluded that while the female gametophyte irradiation technique could reduce the number of generations necessary for cytoplasm transfer, the damage induced seems too restricted for this technique to be applied in cabbage breeding at present.     

Ultrastructure and development of the gametophyte vaginula-sporophyte foot complex in the liverwort Targionia hypophylla L.

The development of the placental complex including the gametophyte vaginula and the bulbous foot of the sporophyte in the liverwort Targionia hypophylla L. (Marchantiales) was studied by transmission electron microscopy. The vaginula and foot are separated by an intervening space and each consist of parenchymatous cells without intercellular spaces. Transfer cells begin to differentiate at the gametophyte-sporophyte interface just prior the onset of meiosis. While a single epidermal transfer-cell layer has developed in the foot by the end of meiosis, a multilayered pattern of transfer cells is formed in the vaginula. Gametophyte transfer cells have wall labyrinths which decrease in complexity with distance from the foot, lack plasmodesmata, and show signs of degeneration in the proximity of the foot. During meiosis, amyloplasts of both vaginula and foot lack starch and develop some thylakoid grana. In the subsequent stage of spore maturation, obliteration of the wall labyrinth occurs in both gametophyte and sporophyte transfer cells. The developmental pattern of the placental complex in Targionia is discussed in relation to that of mosses.     

RanGAP is required for post-meiotic mitosis in female gametophyte development in Arabidopsis thaliana

RanGAP is the GTPase-activating protein of the small GTPase Ran and is involved in nucleocytoplasmic transport in yeast and animals via the Ran cycle and in mitotic cell division. Arabidopsis thaliana has two copies of RanGAP, RanGAP1 and RanGAP2. To investigate the function of plant RanGAP, T-DNA insertional mutants were analysed. Arabidopsis plants with a null mutant of either RanGAP1 or RanGAP2 had no observable phenotype. Analysis of segregating progeny showed that double mutants in RanGAP1 and RanGAP2 are female gametophyte defective. Ovule clearing with differential interference contrast optics showed that mutant female gametophytes were arrested at interphase, predominantly after the first mitotic division following meiosis. In contrast, mutant pollen developed and functioned normally. These results show that the two RanGAPs are redundant and indispensable for female gametophyte development in Arabidopsis but dispensable for pollen development. Nuclear division arrest during a mitotic stage suggests a role for plant RanGAP in mitotic cell cycle progression during female gametophyte development.     

The MIDASIN and NOTCHLESS genes are essential for female gametophyte development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Female gametophyte development in Arabidopsis thaliana follows a well-defined program that involves many fundamental cellular processes. In this study, we report the involvement of the Arabidopsis thaliana MIDASIN1 (AtMDN1) gene during female gametogenesis through the phenotypic characterization of plants heterozygous for an insertional mdn1 mutant allele. The MDN1 yeast ortholog has previously been shown to encode a non-ribosomal protein involved in the maturation and assembly of the 60S ribosomal subunit. Heterozygous MDN1/mdn1 plants were semisterile and mdn1 allele transmission through the female gametophyte was severely affected. Development of mdn1 female gametophyte was considerably delayed compared to their wild-type siblings. However, delayed mdn1 female gametophytes were able to reach maturity and a delayed pollination experiment showed that a small proportion of the female gametophytes were functional. We also report that the Arabidopsis NOTCHLESS (AtNLE) gene is also required for female gametogenesis. The NLE protein has been previously shown to interact with MDN1 and to be also involved in 60S subunit biogenesis. The introduction of an AtNLE-RNA interference construct in Arabidopsis led to semisterility defects. Defective female gametophytes were mostly arrested at the one-nucleate (FG1) developmental stage. These data suggest that the activity of both AtMDN1 and AtNLE is essential for female gametogenesis progression.     

Megasporogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana L.: an ultrastructural study

 In this study, megasporogenesis of the plant model Arabidopsis thaliana was investigated by electron microscopy for the first time. The data described here could constitute a reference for future investigations of Arabidopsis mutants. During the beginning of meiosis the megaspore mother cell shows a polarity created by unequal distribution of organelles in the cytoplasm. Plastids accumulate in the chalazal region and long parallel saccules of endoplasmic reticulum, small vacuoles and some dictyosomes are found in the micropylar region. Plasmodesmata are abundant in the chalazal cell wall. The nucleus is almost centrally localized and contains a prominent excentric nucleolus and numerous typical synaptonemal complexes. After the second division of meiosis the four megaspores are separated by thin cell walls crossed by numerous plasmodesmata and do not show significant cellular organization. The young functional megaspore is characterized by a large nucleus and a large granular nucleolus. The cytoplasm is very electron dense due to the abundance of free ribosomes and contains the following randomly distributed organelles: mitochondria, a few short saccules of endoplasmic reticulum, dictyosomes and undifferentiated plastids. However, there is no apparent polarity, except for the distribution of some small vacuoles which are more abundant in the micropylar region of the cell. The degenerating megaspores are extremely electron dense and do not show any substructure. Received: 30 July 1998 / Revision accepted: 3 February 1999