In situ localization of three cDNA sequences associated with the later stages of aposporic embryo sac development of Brachiaria brizantha

Abstract

Brachiaria brizantha is a forage grass of African origin, highly cultivated in the Brazilian tropics for beef cattle production. We have analyzed the temporal and spatial expression of cDNA sequences by in situ hybridization in ovaries of apomictic and sexual plants. The studied sequences share molecular identity with myosin, aquaporin, and mitogen-activated protein kinase and were named BbrizMYO, BbrizAQP, and BbrizMAPK, respectively. BbrizMYO was expressed in apomictic and sexual embryo sacs, but somewhat later in the Polygonum type embryo sacs of sexual plants. BbrizAQP and BbrizMAPK transcripts were restricted to the Panicum type embryo sacs of apomictic plants; BbrizMAPK, in synergids; and BbrizAQP, also in different ovular cells during development. The common feature that arose from the analysis of the expression patterns of these three sequences was significant expression in the synergids. Their putative role in the maturation of Panicum type embryo sacs of apomictic plants and embryo development is discussed in view of the characteristics of apomictic reproduction.