Molecular Cytogenetic Analysis of Polyploidization in the Anther Tapetum of Diploid and Autotetraploid Arabidopsis thaliana Plants

Like those of most angiosperms, vegetative tissues of Arabidopsisthaliana undergo high levels of endopolyploidization. One suchtissue is the anther tapetum which plays a role in male sporo-and gametogenesis. The degree of polyploidization of the tapetumvaries from species to species. Although the role of this processis not yet fully understood, it may be linked to functioningof the tapetum, increasing the copy number of genes needed forthe synthesis of specific factors required by developing pollenmother cells (PMCs) and pollen grains. The present study focusedon polyploidization during the development of the tapetum ofArabidopsis thaliana. The aim was to outline the mode of tapetumpolyploidization in this model plant species and to establishan efficient method for analysing ploidy levels in differentiatedcells. The course and degree of tapetum polyploidization inArabidopsis was analysed in interphase nuclei using fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH) with repetitive DNA (45S rDNA).The stages of development of the tapetum were analysed alongsidemeiosis in PMCs. The majority of tapetal cells undergo two,maximally three, rounds of divisions. Tapetal nuclei have usuallydivided by metaphase I of meiosis of PMCs. The pattern of tapetumpolyploidization was similar in diploid and autotetraploid plantsand is thus not affected by increasing amounts of maternal plantDNA. The tapetum of autotetraploid plants exhibits a higherfrequency of additional division than seen in diploid plants.Copyright 2001 Annals of Botany Company Arabidopsis thaliana, autotetraploid, FISH, rDNA polyploidization, tapetum