Summary
The recessive embryo-lethal mutantdek-1 of maize, showing arrest of embryo development at the proembryo stage, lack of carotenoids and anthocyanins and absence in the endosperm of the aleurone layer, was characterized at a cytological level. Cytofluorimetric analysis excluded endoreduplication or polyploidization events in mutant embryonic cells, in spite of an evident increase in nucleolus and nucleus diameters.
The data seem to point to an involvement ofDek-1 in the progression of the embryo toward specific developmental steps and in the differentiation of the aleurone layer in the endosperm. Cellular proliferation is not affected by the mutation, as is shown by DNA replication even after the arrest in development and by the possibility of inducing callus from mutant embryos.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- DAP:
-
days after pollination
References
Faccio Dolfini S, Consonni G, Viani I, Todesco G, Gavazzi G (1985) Mutants affecting seed development and germination in maize. In:Terzi M, Pitto L, Sung ZR (eds) Somatic embryogenesis. IPRA, Roma, pp 122–132
Guilfoyle TJ, Lin CY, Chen YM, Nagao RT, Key JL (1975) Enhancement of soybean RNA polymerase I by auxin. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 72: 69–72
Levi M, Tarquini F, Sgorbati S, Sparvoli E (1986) Determination of DNA content by static cytofluorimetry in nuclei released from fixed plant tissue. Protoplasma 132: 64–68
Lin B-Y (1977) A squash technique for studying the cytology of maize endosperm and other tissues. Stain Technol 52: 197–201
Meinke DW (1982) Embryo-lethal mutants ofArabidopsis thaliana: evidence for gametophytic expression of the mutant genes. Theor Appl Genet 63: 381–386
— (1985) Embryo-lethal mutants ofArabidopsis thaliana: analysis of mutants with a wide range of lethal phases. Theor Appl Genet 69: 543–552
—,Sussex IM (1979 a) Embryo-lethal mutants ofArabidopsis thaliana. Develop Biol 72: 50–61
— — (1979 b) Isolation and characterization of six embryo-lethal mutants ofArabidopsis thaliana. Develop Biol 72: 62–72
Murashige T, Skoog F (1962) A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue cultures. Physiol Plant 15: 473–497
Phillips RL, Kleese RA, Wang AS (1971) The nucleolus organizer region of maize (Zea mays L.): Chromosomal site of DNA complementary to ribosomal RNA. Chromosoma (Berl) 36: 79–88
—,Wang AS (1981) Nuclear volume, nucleolar volume and rDNA changes during endosperm development. Maize Genet Coop News Lett 55: 91–93
Sheridan WF, Chang MT, Neuffer MG (1984) Thedek mutantsnew mutants defective in kernel development. Maize Genet Coop News Lett 58: 98–99
—,Neuffer MG (1986) Genetic control of embryo and endosperm development in maize. In:Reddy GM, Coe EH Jr (eds) Gene structure and function in higher plants. Oxford and IBH Publ Co, Calcutta, pp 105–122
Slater ML, Sharrow SO, Gart JJ (1977) Cell cycle ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae in populations growing at different rates. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 74: 3850–3854
Tonelli C, Faccio Dolfini S, Gavazzi G (1985) Mutants affecting embryo development and germination in maize. Atti Ass Genet It 31: 205–206
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Faccio Dolfini, S., Sparvoli, F. Cytological characterization of the embryo-lethal mutantdek-1 of maize. Protoplasma 144, 142–148 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01637247
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01637247