Abstract
In the female gametophyte of most angiosperms, the egg, central and synergid cells have unique structural features and functions that are essential for the reproductive process. However, how they develop and which genes underlie these mechanisms, have not been revealed. To address these questions, we had two approaches: one is using a unique plant having a protruding embryo sac, Torenia and the other is using a model plant of molecular genetics, Arabidopsis.
First, we showed by time-lapse analysis in vitro cultivated immature Torenia ovules developed to functional female gametophyte. Furthermore, by laser-ablating the immature egg or central cell, we revealed that these cells are required for the synergid cell to establish the function to attract pollen tubes.
Second, we established system to isolate each-type cells of Arabidopsis. Our RT-PCR analysis with the selected genes showed that the isolated cells retained their own gene expression. We are analyzing the gene expression profiling of egg and synergid cells from wild type and synergid cells from a mutant defective in attracting pollen tubes with the next generation sequencer.
