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Developmental genetics of gametophytic apomixis
D Grimanelli1, O Leblanc, E Perotti
1IRD-CIMMYT, Apomixis Project, carretera Mexico Veracruz, Km 45.5, El Batan, Texcoco, Ed Mexico, Mexico.Grimacelli@cgiar.org
Trends in Genetics : TIG
|October 5, 2001
Summary
Apomixis, a natural cloning process in plants, involves asexual reproduction through seeds. Recent studies suggest it results from deregulated sexual development, paving the way for engineering apomixis in crops.
Area of Science:
- Plant reproductive biology
- Developmental genetics
- Agricultural science
Background:
- Apomixis enables asexual reproduction in plants via seeds, producing genetic clones of the mother plant.
- This process bypasses meiosis and fertilization, leading to genetically identical offspring.
- Understanding apomixis is crucial for its potential application in crop improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of apomixis.
- To reconcile the complex developmental process with its potential simple inheritance.
- To explore the feasibility of engineering apomixis in sexual crop species.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of genetic data from apomictic and model sexual organisms.
- Comparative studies of reproductive pathways.
- Proposal of molecular mechanisms for developmental deregulation.
Main Results:
- Apomixis may arise from a global deregulation of sexual reproductive pathways rather than novel functions.
- Genetic evidence suggests apomixis could be inherited as a simple Mendelian trait.
- Molecular mechanisms for this deregulation are proposed.
Conclusions:
- Apomixis is likely a consequence of altered sexual development pathways.
- This understanding facilitates the potential engineering of apomixis in crops.
- Engineering apomixis could revolutionize agriculture by enabling clonal propagation through seeds.