Sundar Lab

Identification of female gametophyte-specific genes using oligonucleotides microarrays

Since gametophyte development occurs within the sporophyte, the isolation of RNA from developing gametophytes without contamination with the maternal tissues represents a technical challenge. We previously described a gene called SPOROCYTELESS (SPL) required for initiation of gametophyte development in Arabidopsis (Yang et al. 1999). Plants that are homozygous for the spl mutation have ovules that appear normal except that they do not contain embryo sacs, and the nucellus does not degenerate. Therefore, the spl mutant provides an opportunity to identify female gametophyte-specific genes by expression profiling. Oligonucleotide microarrays are being used to identify genes specific for the female gametophyte by comparison of the expression profiles of wild-type ovules (embryo-sac + ) with spl mutant ovules (embryo sac - ).

A, Image of spl ovule at maturity showing the complete absence of the embryo sac but presence of all maternal cell types. B. WT ovule with embryo sac for comparison.

Follow the link below to download the microarray data for Embryosac-specific genes.

Sundarlab.ucdavis.edu