Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 26, 2025
04:32
An Induction System for Clustered Stomata by Sugar Solution Immersion Treatment in Arabidopsis thaliana Seedlings
Published on: February 15, 2019
5.9K
Sucrose Synthase and Fructokinase Are Required for Proper Meristematic and Vascular Development
Nitsan Lugassi1, Ofer Stein1,2, Aiman Egbaria1
1Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 21, 2022
Summary
Sucrose synthase (SuSy) and fructokinase (FRK) are crucial for plant development. Combining gene suppressions in double-mutant tomato plants revealed their joint roles in meristem, vascular, fruit, and seed formation.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Sucrose synthase (SuSy) and fructokinase (FRK) regulate carbohydrate metabolism in plant sink tissues.
- Previous studies indicated individual roles for SuSy and FRK in plant development, including auxin transport and vascular formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined developmental roles of SuSy and FRK by creating double-mutant plants.
- To understand the genetic interactions between SUS1,3&4 and FRK2 in tomato development.
Main Methods:
- Generation of double-mutant tomato plants by crossing SUS-RNAi and FRK2-antisense lines.
- Analysis of plant phenotypes, including shoot apical meristem development and vascular structure.
- Utilized the auxin reporter DR5::VENUS to assess auxin response in meristems.
Main Results:
- Double-mutant plants displayed novel phenotypes, including arrested shoot apical meristems and ectopic meristems.
- Reduced auxin response was observed in the shoot apical meristems of double mutants.
- Altered inflorescence phyllotaxis, disorganized vascular tissues, and reduced fruit and seed size with low germination rates were noted.
Conclusions:
- SUS1,3&4 and FRK2 enzymes play jointly essential roles in meristematic and vascular development.
- These genes are critical for proper fruit and seed development and viability.
- The study highlights the intricate interplay between carbohydrate metabolism and developmental processes in plants.
Related Concept Videos
02:02Phloem and Sugar Transport
38.2K
Like many living organisms, plants have tissues that specialize in specific plant functions. For example, shoots are well adapted to rapid growth, while roots are structured to acquire resources efficiently. However, sugar production is primarily restricted to the photosynthetic cells that reside in the leaves of angiosperm plants. Sugar and other resources are transported from photosynthetic tissues to other specialized tissues by a process called translocation.
38.2K
01:26Biosynthesis of Polysaccharides
126
Polysaccharides such as glycogen and starch are synthesized from nucleoside diphosphate sugars, primarily uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG) and adenosine diphosphate glucose (ADPG). These activated glucose donors act as key intermediates in carbohydrate metabolism and biosynthesis. UDPG primarily involves glycogen synthesis in animals and many bacteria, while ADPG plays a fundamental role in starch synthesis in plants and certain bacteria.UDPG is formed when glucose-1-phosphate reacts with...
126
01:02Role of Microtubules in Cell Wall Deposition
2.6K
Microtubules are small hollow tubes in eukaryotic cells. The cell wall microtubules are polymerized dimers of two globular proteins, α-tubulin and β-tubulin, two globular proteins. With a diameter of about 25 nm, microtubules are the widest components of the cytoskeleton. They help the cell resist compression and provide a track along which vesicles move through the cell or pull replicated chromosomes to opposite ends of a dividing cell. Microtubules go through quick cycles of...
2.6K
01:27Glucose Transporters
25.1K
Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
25.1K
02:04Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
29.2K
During photosynthesis, plants acquire the necessary carbon dioxide and release the produced oxygen back into the atmosphere. Openings in the epidermis of plant leaves is the site of this exchange of gasses. A single opening is called a stoma—derived from the Greek word for “mouth.” Stomata open and close in response to a variety of environmental cues.
29.2K
02:36Meristems and Plant Growth
47.1K
Plants grow throughout their lives; this is called indeterminate growth, and it distinguishes plants from most animals. Although certain parts of plants stop growing (e.g., leaves and flowers), others grow continuously—like roots and stems.
47.1K