Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026
07:27
Live Confocal Imaging of Developing Arabidopsis Flowers
Published on: April 1, 2017
15.6K
Molecular regulation of flower development
Bennett Thomson1, Frank Wellmer1
1Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Current Topics in Developmental Biology
|January 8, 2019
Summary
Researchers have identified hundreds of genes regulating reproductive development in flowering plants. Recent advances in genetic analysis and genome-wide surveys have led to validated models of flower formation, advancing our understanding of floral morphogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Plant biology
- Developmental biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Hundreds of genes regulating reproductive development in angiosperms have been identified over three decades.
- Fundamental insights into molecular mechanisms of flower formation have been gained recently.
- Understanding of gene functions and products in reproductive development remains incomplete.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the current state of flowering research, focusing on recent progress.
- To discuss open questions in floral morphogenesis and evolution.
- To delineate the gene regulatory networks underlying flower development.
Main Methods:
- Genetic analysis
- Genome-wide surveys
- Experimental approaches to study master regulators of flower development
Main Results:
- Several models for molecular control of flower formation have been proposed, tested, and validated.
- Advances in studying master regulators have provided fundamental insights.
- Gene regulatory networks underlying flower development are being delineated.
Conclusions:
- Current research has significantly advanced the understanding of flower development.
- Validated models guide ongoing research in gene regulatory networks.
- Further research is needed to address open questions in floral morphogenesis and evolution.
Related Concept Videos
02:40Pollination and Flower Structure
75.5K
Flowers are the reproductive, seed-producing structures of angiosperms. Typically, flowers consist of sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels. Sepals and petals are the vegetative flower organs. Stamens and carpels are the reproductive organs.
75.5K
02:14GTPases and their Regulation
9.8K
Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), also known as GTPases, are a superfamily of proteins that regulate many cellular processes, such as cell signaling, vesicular transport, and the regulation of cell shape and motility. Mutation or dysfunction of these proteins can lead to disease. There are around 40,000 known G-proteins that can broadly be classified into two groups ‒ small G-proteins consisting of a single domain and large multi-domain G-proteins.
Large G-proteins,...
Large G-proteins,...
9.8K
01:58Fruit Development, Structure, and Function
25.2K
Fruits form from a mature flower ovary. As seeds develop from the ovules contained within, the ovary wall undergoes a series of complex changes to form fruit. In some fruits, such as soybeans, the ovary wall dries; in other fruits, such as grapes, it remains fleshy. In some cases, organs other than the ovary contribute to fruit formation; such fruits are called accessory fruits.
25.2K
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
33.7K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
33.7K
02:33Seed Structure and Early Development of the Sporophyte
31.1K
Seed structures are composed of a protective seed coat surrounding a plant embryo, and a food store for the developing embryo. The embryo contains the precursor tissues for leaves, stem, and roots. The endosperm and cotyledons—seed leaves—act as the food reserves for the growing embryo.
31.1K
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
7.8K
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
7.8K