Abstract
By means of T-DNA tagging in Arabidopsis thaliana, we identified a sterile mutant ebi (enndan-buchikowashi) that has empty siliques. To determine which reproductive organs were affected, reciprocal crosses between wild-type plants and ebi mutant were performed. Transmission of the T-DNA through pollen donor was observed, but that from female donor was not. Therefore the male was fertile and the female was sterile. Genetic studies demonstrated that the female sterility was caused by a single recessive ebi mutation that was controlled sporophytically. We identified EBI gene that encodes a novel protein of 437 amino acids. Numerous EBI homologues were identified in higher plant species but not in animals, yeast or bacteria, suggesting that EBIs are plant specific proteins. The significant functions of EBI gene in sexual plant reproduction are discussed.
