Increase of histone acetylation by suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid enhances microspore reprogramming and expression of somatic embryogenesis transcription factors in Brassica napus.

In vivo, microspores in the anthers follow the gametophytic development pathway, culminating in the formation of pollen grains. Conversely, in vitro, under stress treatments, microspores can be reprogrammed into totipotent cells, initiating an embryogenic pathway that produces haploid and double-haploid embryos, which are important biotechnological tools in plant breeding. There is growing evidence that epigenetic reprogramming occurs during microspore embryogenesis through DNA methylation, but less is known about the role of histone modifications.

Small molecule inhibitors of human LRRK2 enhance in vitro embryogenesis and microcallus formation for plant regeneration of crop and model species.

In vitro plant embryogenesis and microcallus formation are systems which are required for plant regeneration, a process during which cell reprogramming and proliferation are critical. These systems offer many advantages in breeding programmes, such as doubled-haploid production, clonal propagation of selected genotypes, and recovery of successfully gene-edited or transformed plants. However, the low proportion of reprogrammed cells in many plant species makes these processes highly inefficient.

Small molecule inhibitors of mammalian GSK-3β promote in vitro plant cell reprogramming and somatic embryogenesis in crop and forest species.

Plant in vitro regeneration systems, such as somatic embryogenesis, are essential in breeding; they permit propagation of elite genotypes, production of doubled-haploids, and regeneration of whole plants from gene editing or transformation events. However, in many crop and forest species, somatic embryogenesis is highly inefficient. We report a new strategy to improve in vitro embryogenesis using synthetic small molecule inhibitors of mammalian glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β), never used in plants.

Suppression of Metacaspase- and Autophagy-Dependent Cell Death Improves Stress-Induced Microspore Embryogenesis in Brassica napus.

Microspore embryogenesis is a biotechnological process that allows us to rapidly obtain doubled-haploid plants for breeding programs. The process is initiated by the application of stress treatment, which reprograms microspores to embark on embryonic development. Typically, a part of the microspores undergoes cell death that reduces the efficiency of the process.

Advances in Plant Regeneration: Shake, Rattle and Roll.

Some plant cells are able to rebuild new organs after tissue damage or in response to definite stress treatments and/or exogenous hormone applications. Whole plants can develop through de novo organogenesis or somatic embryogenesis. Recent findings have enlarged our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms required for tissue reprogramming during plant regeneration.