Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2026

An Efficient Method for Quantitative, Single-cell Analysis of Chromatin Modification and Nuclear Architecture in Whole-mount Ovules in Arabidopsis
Published on: June 19, 2014
New insights into plant gametogenesis: From mechanism to application
Xiaorong Huang1, Meng-Xiang Sun2
1State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Plant Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China; State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
Abstract:
Land plants produce both male and female gametes (sperm cells and egg cells [EC]) at the haploid gametophytic generation, which are the prerequisites for sexual plant reproduction. As highly specialized cell types, their development is necessarily regulated by the unique mechanisms. Herein, we attempt to summarize recent progress on the genetic and epigenetic regulations of the generation, differentiation, and maturation of sperm and EC, as well as their variations during the evolution of land plants. We emphasize the contributions of sperm-derived paternal genetic information to the zygotic and embryonic development after fertilization. We also discuss the application aspects of the basic principles of gametogenesis in agriculture, especially in haploid induction and synthetic apomixis. Finally, we prospect the future interesting researches and highlight the core questions in this field.
Related Concept Videos
Spermatogenesis
Morphogenesis
Seed Structure and Early Development of the Sporophyte
Asexual Reproduction
Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
Transgenic Plants
The first-ever transgenic plant was a tobacco plant developed in 1983 that showed resistance against the tobacco mosaic virus. Since then, many transgenic plants have been developed and commercialized for improving the agricultural, ornamental, and horticultural value of a crop plant. Transgenic...

