Abstract
The evolution of seeds was a major reason for the rise of angiosperms to ecological dominance. Seeds of angiosperms are composed of three main structures: the embryo, which will give rise to the next generation; the endosperm, a nurturing tissue whose main function is to deliver nutrients from the mother plant to the embryo; and the seed coat (or testa), a tissue that is derived from the maternal integuments and which provides support and protection to the growing embryo. All three seed components need to exchange signals to ensure co-ordinated growth and development. The present review discusses the structure of the seed coat, its interaction with the endosperm, and bidirectional signalling events between endosperm and seed coat that co-ordinate growth of both tissues. Angiosperm seeds are not only of evolutionary significance, but also of major agronomic importance, demanding a thorough understanding of the events governing seed growth and development.
- endosperm
- non-cell autonomous signalling
- Polycomb group protein
- seed coat
- seed development
Footnotes
Regulation of Fertilization and Early Seed Development: A Biochemical Society Focused Meeting held at the University of Bath, U.K., 11–13 September 2013. Organized and Edited by James Doughty (University of Bath, U.K.) and Thomas Dresselhaus (University of Regensburg, Germany).
Abbreviations: ap2, apetala2; FIE, FERTILIZATION-INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM; FIS, FERTILIZATION-INDEPENDENT SEED; HPTS, 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid; MEA, MEDEA; MSI1, MULTICOPY SUPPRESSOR OF IRA1; PA, protoanthocyanidin; PRC2, Polycomb repressive complex 2; SHB1, SHORT HYPOCOTYL UNDER BLUE1; TTG2, TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA2
- © The Authors Journal compilation © 2014 Biochemical Society