Research note: Maternally-controlled ovule abortion results from cosuppression of dihydroflavonol-4-reductase or flavonoid-3',5'-hydroxylase genes in Petunia hybrida

Functional Plant Biology : FPB
R. JorgensenC. Napoli

Abstract

Transgenes designed to overexpress anthocyanin genes An6 (encoding dihydroflavonol-4-reductase) or Hf1 (encoding flavonoid-3',5'-hydroxylase) in Petunia hybrida L. produced flower colour phenotypes similar to those caused by sense cosuppression of chalcone synthase (Chs) genes. However, unlike Chs, sense cosuppression of An6 and Hf1 resulted in female infertility in transgenotes exhibiting complete phenotypic suppression of anthocyanins. Female sterility appeared to be due to embryo abortion, with discolouration of ovules first appearing about 4 d post-fertilization, followed by gradual collapse of the ovule. Pollen from cosuppressed, female-sterile transgenotes placed on wild-type stigmas produced normal seed set, indicating that sterility of cosuppressed plants was maternally controlled. We suggest an hypothesis that cosuppression of An6 and Hf1 leads to accumulation of dihydroflavonols in the seed coat, a maternal tissue, and that this accumulation inhibits embryo growth, either directly or indirectly. In this hypothesis, direct inhibition of embryo growth would require that dihydroflavonols diffuse from the seed coat into the embryo and act there, whereas indirect inhibition would require that dihydroflavonols interfere wit...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 27, 2007·Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology·R A JorgensenC A Napoli

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.