ISSN 2756-3707
International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 2 (6), pp. 208-212, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Identification of premeiotic and meiotic mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana through innovative approaches
F. Consiglio1, C. Conicella1 , L. Monti1 and D. Carputo2*
1CNR-IGV, Institute of Plant Genetics, Research Division Portici, Via Università 133, 80055 Portici, Italy
2DISSPA, Dept. of Soil, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy
*Corresponding author. Tel: ++39-081-2539225. Fax: ++39-081-7753579. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 09 January, 2015
Abstract
Meiosis is a fascinating and complex phenomenon and, despite its central role in sexual plant reproduction, little is known on the molecular mechanisms involved in this process. We review the progress made in recent years using Arabidopsis thaliana mutants for isolating meiotic genes. In particular, emphasis is given on the description of mutants affecting either the regular commitment to meiosis, or the mechanisms of synapsis, recombination, and cytokinesis. We believe that the isolation of genes affecting some crucial meiotic events may represent the first step towards the practical use of meiotic genes in plant breeding. The introduction of deviations in the meiotic pathway into sexual crops will have important implications for the exploitation of apomixis and sexual polyploidization.
Key words: Arabidopsis, meiosis, mutants, fertility.