Publications by authors named "Rosanna Petrella"

The megaspore mother cell (MMC) arises from somatic cells in the ovule primordium and enters meiosis to generate four megaspores. Only the most chalazal (functional megaspore, FM) survives, undergoing a series of mitoses to form the female gametophyte. We show that this commitment to the sexual germline requires spatial regulation of ().

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study focuses on how proper regulation of communication between cells is essential for the differentiation of cells in plants, particularly in *Arabidopsis thaliana*.
  • - Researchers analyzed gene expression in surrounding somatic and germline cells and found that β-1,3-glucan, a polysaccharide, plays a significant role in cell insulation and signaling through channels called plasmodesmata.
  • - The presence of β-1,3-glucanase in the female germline disrupted this insulation, allowing for changes that affected gene expression and ultimately halted germline development, indicating its crucial role in successful female gamete formation.
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In spermatophytes the sporophytic (diploid) and the gametophytic (haploid) generations co-exist in ovules, and the coordination of their developmental programs is of pivotal importance for plant reproduction. To achieve efficient fertilization, the haploid female gametophyte and the diploid ovule structures must coordinate their development to form a functional and correctly shaped ovule. WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX) genes encode a family of transcription factors that share important roles in a wide range of processes throughout plant development.

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In plants, small RNAs have been recognized as key genetic and epigenetic regulators of development. Small RNAs are usually 20 to 30 nucleotides in length and they control, in a sequence specific manner, the transcriptional or post-transcriptional expression of genes. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the most recent findings about the function of small RNAs in ovule development, including megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis, both in sexual and apomictic plants.

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In higher plants, the female germline is formed from the megaspore mother cell (MMC), a single cell in the premeiotic ovule. Previously, it was reported that mutants in the RNA-dependent DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway might be involved in restricting the female germline to a single nucellus cell. We show that the DRM methyltransferase double mutant also presents ectopic enlarged cells, consistent with supernumerary MMC-like cells.

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Spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression is critical for proper developmental timing in plants and animals. The transcription factor regulates developmental phase transitions by acting as a link between hormonal pathways in Arabidopsis (). However, the mechanisms governing its spatiotemporal expression pattern are poorly understood.

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The BASIC PENTACYSTEINE (BPC) GAGA (C-box) binding proteins belong to a small plant transcription factor family. We previously reported that class I BPCs bind directly to C-boxes in the SEEDSTICK (STK) promoter and the mutagenesis of these cis-elements affects STK expression in the flower. The MADS-domain factor SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) is another key regulator of STK.

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The REproductive Meristem (REM) gene family encodes for transcription factors belonging to the B3 DNA binding domain superfamily. In , the gene family is composed of 45 members, preferentially expressed during flower, ovule, and seed developments. Only a few members of this family have been functionally characterized: () and, most recently, () regulate flowering time and (), together with () that control the death of the receptive synergid cell in the female gametophyte.

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