Turning meiosis into mitosis

PLoS Biol. 2009 Jun 9;7(6):e1000124. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1000124. Epub 2009 Jun 9.

Abstract

Apomixis, or asexual clonal reproduction through seeds, is of immense interest due to its potential application in agriculture. One key element of apomixis is apomeiosis, a deregulation of meiosis that results in a mitotic-like division. We isolated and characterised a novel gene that is directly involved in controlling entry into the second meiotic division. By combining a mutation in this gene with two others that affect key meiotic processes, we created a genotype called MiMe in which meiosis is totally replaced by mitosis. The obtained plants produce functional diploid gametes that are genetically identical to their mother. The creation of the MiMe genotype and apomeiosis phenotype is an important step towards understanding and engineering apomixis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Arabidopsis / cytology*
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / chemistry
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Diploidy
  • Germ Cells / cytology
  • Meiosis*
  • Mitosis*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Reproduction

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins