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Isolation of mutants with abnormal petal epidermal cell morphology
Adam M Saffer1, Vivian F Irish1,2
1a Department of Molecular , Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University , New Haven , CT , USA.
Plant Signaling & Behavior
|October 27, 2017
Summary
Researchers identified genes controlling petal cell shape using a new assay. This study reveals key cellular components essential for conical cell development in flowers, aiding pollinator attraction.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Cellular morphogenesis
- Genetics
Background:
- Plant cells exhibit diverse shapes optimized for function, such as conical petal epidermal cells crucial for pollinator attraction.
- While root and leaf cell morphology is well-studied, the genetic control of petal epidermal cell conical expansion remains largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genes regulating the conical expansion of petal epidermal cells.
- To establish petal epidermal cells as a model system for studying cellular morphogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Development of a rapid assay for conical petal epidermal cell morphology.
- Unbiased genetic screening to isolate mutants affecting petal cell development.
Main Results:
- Identification of mutants with altered cell shape, size, cuticle synthesis, and cellular chirality.
- Discovery of novel cellular components critical for conical petal cell morphology.
Conclusions:
- Petal epidermal cells serve as a valuable model for investigating cellular morphogenesis.
- The identified genes and cellular components are essential for the development of specialized petal cell shapes.
