Ovule identity mediated by pre-mRNA processing in Arabidopsis

Ovules are fundamental for plant reproduction and crop yield as they are the precursors of seeds. Therefore, ovule specification is a critical developmental program. In Arabidopsis thaliana, ovule identity is redundantly conferred by the homeotic D-class genes SHATTERPROOF1 (SHP1), SHP2 and SEEDSTIC...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Rodríguez Cazorla, Encarnación, Ortuño Miquel, Samanta, Candela, Héctor, Bailey Steinitz, Lindsay J., Yanofsky, Martin F., Martínez Laborda, Antonio, Ripoll, Juan José, Vera Tornel, Antonio
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2018
País:España
Institución:Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche
Repositorio:REDIUMH. Depósito Digital de la UMH
OAI Identifier:oai:dspace.umh.es:11000/37903
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/11000/37903
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:ovule development
HUA-PEP activity
pre-mRNA processing
D-class genes
SHP1
SHP2
STK
arabidopsis
CDU::5 - Ciencias puras y naturales::57 - Biología
CDU::5 - Ciencias puras y naturales::57 - Biología::575 - Genética general. Citogenética general. Inmunogenética. Evolución. Filogenia
Descripción
Sumario:Ovules are fundamental for plant reproduction and crop yield as they are the precursors of seeds. Therefore, ovule specification is a critical developmental program. In Arabidopsis thaliana, ovule identity is redundantly conferred by the homeotic D-class genes SHATTERPROOF1 (SHP1), SHP2 and SEEDSTICK (STK), phylogenetically related to the MADS-domain regulatory gene AGAMOUS (AG), essential in floral organ specification. Previous studies have shown that the HUA-PEP activity, comprised of a suite of RNA-binding protein (RBP) encoding genes, regulates AG pre-mRNA processing and thus flower patterning and organ identity. Here, we report that the HUA-PEP activity additionally governs ovule morphogenesis. Accordingly, in severe hua-pep backgrounds ovules transform into flower organ-like structures. These homeotic transformations are most likely due to the dramatic reduction in SHP1, SHP2 and STK activity. Our molecular and genome-wide profiling strategies revealed the accumulation of prematurely terminated transcripts of D-class genes in hua-pep mutants and reduced amounts of their respective functional messengers, which points to pre-mRNA processing misregulation as the origin of the ovule developmental defects in such backgrounds. RNA processing and transcription are coordinated by the RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD). Our results show that HUA-PEP activity members can interact with the CTD regulator C-TERMINAL DOMAIN PHOSPHATASE-LIKE1 (CPL1), supporting a co-transcriptional mode of action for the HUA-PEP activity. Our findings expand the portfolio of reproductive developmental programs in which HUA-PEP activity participates, and further substantiates the importance of RNA regulatory mechanisms (pre-mRNA co-transcriptional regulation) for correct gene expression during plant morphogenesis.