Molecular control of microsporogenesis in Arabidopsis

Microsporogenesis is essential for male fertility and requires both the formation of somatic and reproductive cells in the anther and meiotic segregation of homologous chromosomes. Molecular genetic studies have uncovered signaling molecules and transcription factors that play crucial roles in determining the anther cell types and in controlling gene expression for microsporogenesis. At the same time, key components of in meiotic recombination pathways have been discovered, enriching our knowledge about plant reproductive development.

Research highlights▶ The ER/ERL and MPK3/6 protein kinases regulate anther lobe formation. ▶ Signaling molecules and transcription factors determine anther cell types. ▶ Transcription factors control tapetum function for pollen development. ▶ The tapetum is not required for meiotic nuclear division, but needed for cytokinesis. ▶ Meiotic recombination genes are crucial for male fertility.