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Transgenic manipulation of plant embryo sacs tracked through cell-type-specific fluorescent markers: cell labeling, cell ablation, and adventitious embryos

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Abstract

Expression datasets relating to the Arabidopsis female gametophyte have enabled the creation of a tool set which allows simultaneous visual tracking of each specific cell type (egg, synergids, central cell, and antipodals). This cell-specific, fluorescent labeling tool-set functions from gametophyte cellularization through fertilization and early embryo development. Using this system, cell fates were tracked within Arabidopsis ovules following molecular manipulations, such as the ablation of the egg and/or synergids. Upon egg cell ablation, it was observed that a synergid can switch its developmental fate to become egg/embryo-like upon loss of the native egg. Also, manipulated was the fate of the somatic ovular cells, which can become egg- and embryo-like, reminiscent of adventitious embryony. These advances represent initial steps toward engineering synthetic apomixis resulting in seed derived wholly from the maternal plant. The end goal of applied apomixis research, fixing important agronomic traits such as hybrid vigor, would be a key benefit to agricultural productivity.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Ueli Grossniklaus and Tim Bourett for discussions and advice, and Tim Fox and Olga Danilevskaya for critical evaluation of the manuscript. We thank Rachel Huegel, David Oneal, and Susan Wagner for technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Biotechnology, DuPont Pioneer, 7300 NW 62nd Ave, PO Box 1004, Johnston, IA, 50131-1004, USA

    Shai J. Lawit, Mark A. Chamberlin, April Agee, Eric S. Caswell & Marc C. Albertsen

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  1. Shai J. Lawit
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  2. Mark A. Chamberlin
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  3. April Agee
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  4. Eric S. Caswell
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  5. Marc C. Albertsen
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Correspondence to Shai J. Lawit.

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Communicated by Anna Maria G Koltunow.

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Lawit, S.J., Chamberlin, M.A., Agee, A. et al. Transgenic manipulation of plant embryo sacs tracked through cell-type-specific fluorescent markers: cell labeling, cell ablation, and adventitious embryos. Plant Reprod 26, 125–137 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00497-013-0215-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00497-013-0215-x

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