A fern WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX gene functions in both gametophyte and sporophyte generations

Christopher E Youngstrom; Lander F Geadelmann; Erin E Irish; Chi-Lien Cheng

doi:10.1186/s12870-019-1991-8

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A fern WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX gene functions in both gametophyte and sporophyte generations

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A fern WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX gene functions in both gametophyte and sporophyte generations

Christopher E Youngstrom, Lander F Geadelmann, Erin E Irish and Chi-Lien Cheng

BMC plant biology, Vol.19(1), pp.416-416

10/11/2019

DOI: 10.1186/s12870-019-1991-8

PMCID: PMC6788082

PMID: 31601197

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Abstract

Post-embryonic growth of land plants originates from meristems. Genetic networks in meristems maintain the stem cells and direct acquisition of cell fates. WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) transcription factors involved in meristem networks have only been functionally characterized in two evolutionarily distant taxa, mosses and seed plants. This report characterizes a WOX gene in a fern, which is located phylogenetically between the two taxa. CrWOXB transcripts were detected in proliferating tissues, including gametophyte and sporophyte meristems of Ceratopteris richardii. In addition, CrWOXB is expressed in archegonia but not the antheridia of gametophytes. Suppression of CrWOXB expression in wild-type RN3 plants by RNAi produced abnormal morphologies of gametophytes and sporophytes. The gametophytes of RNAi lines produced fewer cells, and fewer female gametes compared to wild-type. In the sporophyte generation, RNAi lines produced fewer leaves, pinnae, roots and lateral roots compared to wild-type sporophytes. Our results suggest that CrWOXB functions to promote cell divisions and organ development in the gametophyte and sporophyte generations, respectively. CrWOXB is the first intermediate-clade WOX gene shown to function in both generations in land plants.

Gene Expression

Genes, Homeobox

Genes, Plant

Germ Cells, Plant - metabolism

Meristem - genetics

Plant Shoots - genetics

Pteridaceae - genetics

Reproduction - genetics

Details

Title: Subtitle: A fern WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX gene functions in both gametophyte and sporophyte generations
Creators: Christopher E Youngstrom - Department of Biology, University of Iowa, 129 E. Jefferson St., Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA
Lander F Geadelmann - Department of Biology, University of Iowa, 129 E. Jefferson St., Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA
Erin E Irish - Department of Biology, University of Iowa, 129 E. Jefferson St., Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA
Chi-Lien Cheng - Department of Biology, University of Iowa, 129 E. Jefferson St., Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA. chi-lien-cheng@uiowa.edu
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: BMC plant biology, Vol.19(1), pp.416-416
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-019-1991-8
PMID: 31601197
PMCID: PMC6788082
NLM abbreviation: BMC Plant Biol
ISSN: 1471-2229
eISSN: 1471-2229
Grant note: R25 GM058939 / NIGMS NIH HHS NSF1555487 / Directorate for Biological Sciences
Language: English
Date published: 10/11/2019
Academic Unit: Biology
Record Identifier: 9984217531402771

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