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Silencing of an Anther-specific Zinc-finger Gene, MEZ1, Causes Aberrant Meiosis and Pollen Abortion in Petunia

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Abstract

MEZ1 (MEiosis-associated Zinc-finger protein 1) was first isolated as an anther-specific cDNA from Petunia hybrida. In the present study, we report its functional characterization, including its spatial and temporal expression profiles and phenotypes in MEZ1-silenced plants. MEZ1 transcripts were specifically localized in pollen mother cells during early stages of anther development, and were later distributed in vegetative tissues in anthers. Silencing of MEZ1 by cosuppression resulted in several anomalies during male meiosis that included inability of chromosomes to condense, loss of meiotic synchrony, and premature and apparently uncontrolled cytokinetic events. Consequently, by the end of meiosis 8–10 cells, instead of the normal 4, with varying DNA contents were formed in the MEZ1-silenced meiocytes. Most of these aborted prematurely, and those that matured had a distinctive morphology. MEZ1-silenced plants were female sterile when pollinated with wild-type pollen but they infrequently produced a few seeds upon self-pollination. Resulting T1 plants had increased ploidy levels and exhibited severe anomalies during male meiosis, rendering them completely sterile. We discuss possible role of MEZ1 in the proper progression of plant meiosis.

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Abbreviations

am1 :

ameiotic1

Bl:

bud length

CaMV:

cauliflower mosaic virus

DAP:

days after pollination

DAPI:

4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole

MEZ1 :

MEiosis-associated Zinc-finger protein 1

cMEZ1 :

MEZ1 cDNA

NLS:

nuclear localization signal

PMC:

pollen mother cell

SAP :

STERILE APETALA

SPL/NZZ :

SPOROCYTELESS/NOZZLE

SWI1 :

Switch1

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Developmental Biology Laboratory, Plant Physiology Department, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 2-1-2 Kannondai, Tsukuba, 305-8602, Ibaraki, Japan

    Sanjay Kapoor & Hiroshi Takatsuji

  2. Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi, 110021, India

    Sanjay Kapoor

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  1. Sanjay Kapoor
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  2. Hiroshi Takatsuji
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Correspondence to Hiroshi Takatsuji.

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Kapoor, S., Takatsuji, H. Silencing of an Anther-specific Zinc-finger Gene, MEZ1, Causes Aberrant Meiosis and Pollen Abortion in Petunia. Plant Mol Biol 61, 415–430 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-006-0020-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-006-0020-0

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