Molecular mechanism of gametangium development in bryophytes

Abstract

In the sexual reproduction of land plants, the production of female gamete egg and male gamete sperm is an essential process. These processes have drastically changed through plant evolution. In bryophytes, lycophytes, and monilophytes, multicellular gametangia develop as reproductive organs during the haploid generation. Egg and sperm are produced in the female and male gametangia, archegonia and antheridia, respectively. Until a decade ago, knowledge about gametangium development was largely limited to anatomical observations, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their development remained poorly understood. Recently, however, the establishment of research tools for the model bryophyte Marchantia polymorpha has enabled significant progress in uncovering the molecular genetics of gametangium development. In our research, we have focused on gametangium development and identified a BZR/BES transcription factor MpBZR3 as a key regulator of this process. This article will provide an overview of recent research advancements in understanding gametangium development in bryophytes.