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Phloem-mobile signals affecting flowers: applications for crop breeding
Roisin C McGarry1, Friedrich Kragler
1University of North Texas, Department of Biological Sciences, 1155 Union Circle 305220, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA. rmcgarry@unt.edu
Trends in Plant Science
|February 12, 2013
Summary
Plant macromolecules like florigen and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) move through phloem to regulate flowering and epigenetic status. These mobile signals offer applications for crop breeding and producing transgene-free progenies.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Plant physiology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Endogenous macromolecules act as signaling molecules in plants, regulating growth and development.
- The florigenic FT gene product and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are key mobile signals involved in flowering and epigenetic regulation.
- Understanding these signals is crucial for agricultural applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the identity and allocation mechanisms of mobile signals regulating plant growth, specifically flowering.
- To explore how these signals, including siRNAs, can be utilized in crop-breeding programs.
- To discuss methods for producing transgene-free progenies for agricultural use.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on florigen and siRNA transport in plants.
- Analysis of mechanisms for macromolecule allocation within and between plant tissues.
- Examination of virus-induced flowering and grafting techniques for siRNA applications.
Main Results:
- Florigen (FT gene product) moves via phloem to induce flowering in apical meristems.
- siRNAs move cell-to-cell and long-distance via phloem, influencing epigenetic status.
- Virus-induced flowering and grafting can generate transgene-free progenies.
Conclusions:
- Mobile endogenous macromolecules are critical for plant development and signaling.
- Harnessing florigen and siRNA transport offers significant potential for crop improvement.
- Advanced techniques enable the development of transgene-free crops for sustainable agriculture.
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