Elsevier

Molecules and Cells

Volume 35, Issue 6, June 2013, Pages 519-525
Molecules and Cells

Fruit Indehiscence Caused by Enhanced Expression of NO TRANSMITTING TRACT in Arabidopsis thaliana

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10059-013-0030-0Get rights and content
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In flowering plants, fruit dehiscence enables seed dispersal. Here we report that ntt-3D, an activation tagged allele of NO TRANSMITTING TRACT (NTT), caused a failure of fruit dehiscence in Arabidopsis. We identified ntt-3D, in which the 35S enhancer was inserted adjacent to AT3G5-7670, from our activation tagged mutant library. ntt-3Dmutants showed serrated leaves, short siliques, and indehiscence phenotypes. NTT-overexpressing plants largely phenocopied the ntt-3D plants. As the proximate cause of the indehiscence, ntt-3D plants exhibited a near absence of valve margin and lignified endocarp b layer in the carpel. In addition, the replum was enlarged in ntt-3D mutants. NTT expression reached a peak in flowers at stage 11 and gradually decreased thereafter and pNTT::GUS expression was mainly observed in the replum, indicating a potential role in fruit patterning. NTT:GFP localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. FRUITFULL (FUL) expression was downregulated in ntt-3D mutants and ntt-3D suppressed upregulation of FUL in replumless mutants. These results indicate that NTT suppresses FUL, indicating a potential role in patterning of the silique. In seed crops, a reduction in pod dehiscence can increase yield by decreasing seed dispersal; therefore, our results may prove useful as a basis to improve crop yield.

Keywords

carpel development
dehiscent zone
endocarp b layer
fruit indehiscence
replum

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