Abstract
The tapetum is a specialized layer of cells within the anther, adjacent to the sporogenous tissue. During its short life, it provides nutrients, molecules and materials to the pollen mother cells and microsporocytes, being essential during callose degradation and pollen wall formation. The interaction between the tapetum and sporogenous cells in Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) plants, despite its importance for breeding purposes, is poorly understood. To investigate this process, gene editing was used to generate loss-of-function mutants that showed the complete and specific absence of tapetal cells. These plants were obtained targeting the previously uncharacterized Solyc03g097530 (SlTPD1) gene, essential for tapetum specification in tomato plants. In the absence of tapetum, sporogenous cells developed and callose deposition was observed. However, sporocytes failed to undergo the process of meiosis and finally degenerated, leading to male sterility. Transcriptomic analysis conducted in mutant anthers lacking tapetum revealed the downregulation of a set of genes related to redox homeostasis. Indeed, mutant anthers showed a reduction in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at early stages and altered activity of ROS-scavenging enzymes. The results obtained highlight the importance of the tapetal tissue in maintaining redox homeostasis during male gametogenesis in tomato plants.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
