XVI International Botanical Congess

We have undertaken a genetic approach to identify mechanisms that control early reproductive development in response to fertilization in Arabidopsis thaliana. We have studied FIE and MEDEA, two genes which act in the female gametophyte and regulate central cell proliferation. In addition, the maternally-derived alleles of both genes are required for proper embryo development. In absence of fertilization, loss-of-function mutations in both genes confer central cell proliferation as well as maternal programs of seed coat development and fruit elongation. We will discuss models for how FIE and MEDEA control endosperm development and embryogenesis.