Abstract

The evolution of seeds was a major reason for the rise of angiosperms to ecological dominance. Seeds of angiosperms are composed of three main structures: the embryo, which will give rise to the next generation; the endosperm, a nurturing tissue whose main function is to deliver nutrients from the mother plant to the embryo; and the seed coat (or testa), a tissue that is derived from the maternal integuments and which provides support and protection to the growing embryo. All three seed components need to exchange signals to ensure co-ordinated growth and development. The present review discusses the structure of the seed coat, its interaction with the endosperm, and bidirectional signalling events between endosperm and seed coat that co-ordinate growth of both tissues. Angiosperm seeds are not only of evolutionary significance, but also of major agronomic importance, demanding a thorough understanding of the events governing seed growth and development.

Keywords

endosperm; non-cell autonomous signalling; Polycomb group protein; seed coat; seed development

Published in

Biochemical Society Transactions
2014, Volume: 42, number: 2, pages: 358-363
Publisher: PORTLAND PRESS LTD

SLU Authors

• Figueiredo, Duarte

  • Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Köhler, Claudia

  • Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Linnean Centre for Plant Biology

UKÄ Subject classification

Plant Biotechnology
Developmental Biology
Botany


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20130221

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/57537