The alternation of a gametophytic haploid generation with a sporophytic diploid generation is a fundamental aspect of plant reproduction. In flowering plants, the male gametophytes (the pollen grains) develop within the anthers, and the female gametophytes (the embryo sacs) develop within the ovule.  Fertilization of the egg cell within the embryo sac by one of the sperm cells delivered by the pollen tube results in the diploid zygote, which initiates the next sporophytic generation. Although development and function of the gametophytes are critical for plant reproduction, relatively little is known about the genes required for, and the  pathways involved  in gametophytic development in flowering plants. In this project, we propose to identify and determine functions of gametophytic genes in Arabidopsis . A mutant screen for gametophytic mutations using Ds insertion lines has been performed, resulting in the identification of ~ 300 gametophytic mutants. The genes disrupted by these insertions are being identified and the sequences will be posted on this website. The identification of genes expressed in the female gametophyte will also be carried out by the hybridization of an Arabidopsis "whole genome" oligoarray using RNA from wild type and from mutant ovules without embryo sacs. As a result, characterization of gene function is carried out through integrated genetic, cellular and developmental studies of the female and male gametophytes in the mutants.  The characterized mutants will be made publicly available through deposition in the ABRC stock center.
For information on the results for the lines that have aberrant transmission through the male gametophytes, go to the McCormick lab website.