Open AccessThe DME demethylase regulates sporophyte gene expression, cell proliferation, differentiation, and meristem resurrection
Author(s) -
Seohyun Kim,
Jin-Sup Park,
JaeHoon Lee,
Kiseok Keith Lee,
Ok-Sun Park,
Hee-Seung Choi,
Pil Joon Seo,
Hyung-Taeg Cho,
Jennifer M. Frost,
Robert L. Fischer,
Yeonhee Choi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2026806118
Subject(s) - biology , arabidopsis , meristem , sporophyte , gametophyte , microbiology and biotechnology , dna demethylation , mutant , demethylase , genetics , gene , botany , gene expression , dna methylation , epigenetics , pollen
Significance The angiosperm life cycle has alternating diploid (sporophyte) and haploid (gametophyte) generations. The sporophyte generation begins with fertilization of haploid gametes and the gametophyte generation begins after meiosis. InArabidopsis , the DEMETER (DME) DNA demethylase is essential for reproduction and is expressed in the central cell and vegetative cell of the female and male gametophyte, respectively. Little is known about DME function in the sporophyte. We show that DME activity is required for sporophyte development—seed germination, root hair growth, and cellular proliferation and differentiation during development—and we identify sporophytic genes whose proper expression requires DME activity. Together, our study provides important clues about the genetic circuits regulated by the DME DNA demethylase that controlArabidopsis sporophyte development.