Signaling between sporophytic integuments and developing female gametophyte during ovule development

Abstract

Ovules are precursors of seeds and contain sporophytic integuments and gametophytic embryo sac. In Arabidopsis, embryo sac development requires highly synchronized morphogenesis of integument such that defects in integument growth often accompanies with a block in megagametogenesis, indicating that integument instructs the development of female gametophytes. In this mini review, we discuss signaling pathways through which integument cells mediate embryo sac development. We also propose ways to identify key signaling factors for the communication between integument and developing female gametophyte.

Keywords: Apoplastic signaling; Female gametophyte; Intercellular communication; Ovule development; Plasmodesmata; Symplastic signaling.