Analysis of the mechanism for cell fate determination in the female gametophyte

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16172
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 44030:Plant molecular biology and physiology-related
• Research Institution: Yokohama City University
• Principal Investigator: Susaki Daichi 横浜市立大学, 木原生物学研究所, 特任助教 (20757869)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 雌性配偶体 / 細胞運命 / scRNA-seq / ライブイメージング / アクチン繊維 / 助細胞 / 極性分泌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The development of the female gametophyte in angiosperms is unique. After undergoing three rounds of mitosis without cytokinesis, a single cell becomes a multicellular tissue. Cellularization occurs almost simultaneously and results in four cell types with seven cells, each acquiring specific functions. Here we studied how the female gametophyte develops by acquiring its appropriate cell fate and function of each cell. By reverse genetic analysis of a single cell, we detected the dynamic changes in gene expression that reflect the fate conversion from the synergid to the egg cell. Furthermore, we revealed the mechanism for polarized secretion of pollen tube attractants in the synergid cells.

Free Research Field

植物発生学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

雌性配偶体は、被子植物の繁栄を支える重複受精に不可欠な組織である。この特有な発生過程や細胞機能の制御は、不明な点が多い。運命転換時の遺伝子発現変動をとらえたことで、細胞運命の決定機構を明らかにするための基盤整備が出来た。また、花粉管誘引の制御機構の解明は植物生殖の制御技術の開発に繋がる重要な成果といえる。