Auxin guides germ-cell specification in <i>Arabidopsis</i> anthers
Yafeng Zheng, Donghui Wang, Sida Ye, Wenqian Chen, Guilan Li, Zhihong Xu, Shu‐Nong Bai, Feng Zhao
Abstract
Significance Germ cells (GCs) (i.e., the cells that are committed to meiosis and gametogenesis) are key carriers for eukaryotes to complete their life cycle, transmitting their genetic information from one generation to the next while generating variations to integrate environmental changes. Compared to what has been known in animals, very little is known about how the GCs in plants are segregated from somatic cells. This work demonstrates that auxin is a key factor guiding GC specification in Arabidopsis anthers. Local auxin biosynthesis interacts with the transcription of SPOROCYTELESS/NOZZLE and a progressive GC specification itself to form a dynamic feedback circuit that ensures the completion of GC specification.