Abstract
Plant embryogenesis initiates with the establishment of an apical-basal axis; however, the molecular mechanisms accompanying this early event remain unclear. Here, we show that a small cysteine-rich peptide family is required for formation of the zygotic basal cell lineage and proembryo patterning in Arabidopsis. EMBRYO SURROUNDING FACTOR 1 (ESF1) peptides accumulate before fertilization in central cell gametes and thereafter in embryo-surrounding endosperm cells. Biochemical and structural analyses revealed cleavage of ESF1 propeptides to form biologically active mature peptides. Further, these peptides act in a non-cell-autonomous manner and synergistically with the receptor-like kinase SHORT SUSPENSOR to promote suspensor elongation through the YODA mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Our findings demonstrate that the second female gamete and its sexually derived endosperm regulate early embryonic patterning in flowering plants.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Arabidopsis / embryology*
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Arabidopsis / genetics
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Arabidopsis Proteins / chemistry
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Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
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Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
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Body Patterning*
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Endosperm / embryology
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Endosperm / genetics
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Flowers / embryology*
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Flowers / genetics
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Gene Duplication
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
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Gene Knockout Techniques
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Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases / metabolism
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MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / metabolism
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Peptides / chemistry
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Peptides / genetics
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Peptides / metabolism
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Seeds / embryology*
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Seeds / genetics
Substances
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Arabidopsis Proteins
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ESF1.1 protein, Arabidopsis
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ESF1.2 protein, Arabidopsis
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ESF1.3 protein, Arabidopsis
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Peptides
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Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases
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SSP protein, Arabidopsis
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MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases
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YODA protein, Arabidopsis