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| Open AccessTwo complementary genes in a presence-absence variation contribute to indica-japonica reproductive isolation in rice
The mechanisms of the partial reproductive isolation between the two subspecies of rice remains obscure. Here, the authors show that the two adjacent genes form a killer-protector system to induce hybrid male sterility and reproductive isolation between indica and japonica.
- Daiqi Wang
- , Hongru Wang
- & Ziqiang Liu
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Article
| Open AccessPXL1 and SERKs act as receptor–coreceptor complexes for the CLE19 peptide to regulate pollen development
CLE19 is a secreted peptide required for pollen development and other processes in Arabidopsis. Here the authors show that PXL1 and SERKs act as receptors and co-receptors for CLE19 and regulate tapetum transcriptional networks that promote pollen development.
- Ying Yu
- , Wen Song
- & Fang Chang
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Article
| Open AccessReproductive phasiRNAs regulate reprogramming of gene expression and meiotic progression in rice
21-nucleotide phased secondary siRNAs are expressed in the developing rice anthers during meiosis. Here, the authors show that phasiRNAs can cleave target mRNA and act to ensure the progression of meiosis and fertility in rice.
- Yu-Chan Zhang
- , Meng-Qi Lei
- & Yue-Qin Chen
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Article
| Open AccessAdaptive reduction of male gamete number in the selfing plant Arabidopsis thaliana
Reduction of pollen grain number is widespread in selfing plants, but the determining gene is unknown. Here, the authors show that a ribosome-biogenesis factor encoding gene RDP1 is responsible for adaptive reduction of male gamete number in Arabidopsis thaliana.
- Takashi Tsuchimatsu
- , Hiroyuki Kakui
- & Kentaro K. Shimizu
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Article
| Open AccessBES1 is activated by EMS1-TPD1-SERK1/2-mediated signaling to control tapetum development in Arabidopsis thaliana
BES1 and BZR1 transcription factors are activated by the BRI1-BAK1 receptor complex during brassinosteroid signaling. Here the authors show that BES1-family members also act in anthers, downstream of another receptor-like kinase-mediated signaling pathway, EMS1-TPD1-SERK1/2, to promote tapetum development.
- Weiyue Chen
- , Minghui Lv
- & Jia Li
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Article
| Open AccessEMS1 and BRI1 control separate biological processes via extracellular domain diversity and intracellular domain conservation
EMS1 is a receptor-like kinase that recognizes the peptide ligand TPD1 to specify tapeta in Arabidopsis. Here, via a reciprocal complementation approach, the authors provide evidence that intracellular signaling by EMS1 is interchangeable with that of the brassinosteroid receptor BRI1.
- Bowen Zheng
- , Qunwei Bai
- & Guang Wu
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Article
| Open Access24-nt reproductive phasiRNAs are broadly present in angiosperms
24-nt phased siRNA (phasiRNA) regulate reproduction in grasses, yet are absent from Arabidopsis, and were thought to be monocot-specific. Here, Xia et al. show that 24-nt phasiRNAs are in fact broadly distributed among eudicots and are consistently enriched during meiosis, despite possibly arising from distinct biogenesis pathways.
- Rui Xia
- , Chengjie Chen
- & Blake C. Meyers
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Article
| Open AccessThe REN4 rheostat dynamically coordinates the apical and lateral domains of Arabidopsis pollen tubes
Polar growth of pollen tubes is established by polar localization of ROP1 GTPase activity at the apical tip. Here, Li et al. identify REN4 as a ROP1 interaction partner that restrains the ROP1 distribution to the apex by promoting ROP1 endocytosis from lateral domains of the pollen tube membrane.
- Hui Li
- , Nan Luo
- & Zhenbiao Yang
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Article
| Open AccessDeficiency of a triterpene pathway results in humidity-sensitive genic male sterility in rice
In flowering plants, the pollen coat surrounds the male germ cells and protects against dehydration, damage and pathogen attack. Here, the authors show that a deficiency in terpenoid synthesis results in rice pollen over-dehydration and leads to a humidity-sensitive conditional male sterile phenotype.
- Zheyong Xue
- , Xia Xu
- & Xiaoquan Qi
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular identification of the wheat male fertility gene Ms1 and its prospects for hybrid breeding
Heterosis can rapidly boost yield in crop species but development of hybrid-breeding systems for bread wheat remains a challenge. Here, Tucker et al. describe the molecular identification of the wheat Ms1 gene and discuss its potential for large-scale hybrid seed production in wheat.
- Elise J. Tucker
- , Ute Baumann
- & Ryan Whitford
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Article
| Open AccessThe tapetal AHL family protein TEK determines nexine formation in the pollen wall
The nexine is a conserved layer of the pollen wall in land plants. The authors show that the AHL family protein TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENT SILENCING VIA AT-HOOK (TEK) is necessary for nexine formation in Arabidopsis, acting downstream of the transcription factor ABORTED MICROSPORES (AMS).
- Yue Lou
- , Xiao-Feng Xu
- & Zhong-Nan Yang