Background: In plants the hormone cytokinin is perceived by members of a small cytokinin receptor family, which are hybrid sensor histidine kinases. While the immediate downstream signaling pathway is well characterized, the domain of the receptor responsible for ligand binding and which residues are involved in this process has not been determined experimentally.

Plant germ cells develop in specialized haploid structures, termed gametophytes. The female gametophyte patterns of flowering plants are diverse, with often unknown adaptive value. Here we present the Arabidopsis fiona mutant, which forms a female gametophyte that is structurally and functionally reminiscent of a phylogenetic distant female gametophyte. The respective changes include a modified reproductive behavior of one of the female germ cells (central cell) and an extended lifespan of three adjacent accessory cells (antipodals). FIONA encodes the cysteinyl t-RNA synthetase SYCO ARATH (SYCO), which is expressed and required in the central cell but not in the antipodals, suggesting that antipodal lifespan is controlled by the adjacent gamete. SYCO localizes to the mitochondria, and ultrastructural analysis of mutant central cells revealed that the protein is necessary for mitochondrial cristae integrity. Furthermore, a dominant ATP/ADP translocator caused mitochondrial cristae degeneration and extended antipodal lifespan when expressed in the central cell of wild-type plants. Notably, this construct did not affect antipodal lifespan when expressed in antipodals. Our results thus identify an unexpected noncell autonomous role for mitochondria in the regulation of cellular lifespan and provide a basis for the coordinated development of gametic and nongametic cells.cell-cell communication | gametes | programmed cell death I n angiosperms, gametes form in few-celled haploid structures, termed gametophytes. The female gametophyte of most flowering plants originates from a single haploid spore through three syncytial division cycles. Subsequent cellularization generates two synergids, three antipodal cells, and two types of female gametes, an egg and a central cell. The different cell types have distinct functions in the reproductive process. Synergids mediate short-range pollen tube attraction and direct the subsequent release of the two sperm cells (1). The fertilized egg gives rise to an embryo, and the fusion of the second sperm cell with the central cell initiates the formation of endosperm, which nurtures the developing embryo. The central cell initially comprises two haploid polar nuclei, which, in many flowering plant species, fuse before fertilization, generating a diploid secondary nucleus (2). The diploid status of the central cell translates into triploid endosperm with a maternal/paternal ratio of 2:1. This ratio has been shown to critically impact on seed size as, for example, a relative decrease in the maternal contribution results in bigger seeds (3). Antipodals, the accessory cells that lie adjacent to the central cell, might also play a nutritive role by transferring nutrients from the maternal sporophyte to the female gametophyte (4). In several grass species, like wheat and maize, antipodal cells proliferate (5). By contrast, in most higher eudicots antipodal cells do not persist but undergo programmed cell death (PCD) (4) (Fig. 1 A-C). The adaptive value of this derived developmental program (...

In contrast to animals, plant gametes form in distinct haploid generations, termed gametophytes. The female gametophyte of Arabidopsis consists of two gametic cells, the egg and central cell, which are flanked by accessory cells. The gametic cells differ with respect to morphology, molecular attributes and, importantly, their fate: whereas the egg cell, upon fertilisation, gives rise to the embryo, the central cell forms the endosperm. To ensure correct endosperm formation, not only the egg cell but also the central cell has to fuse with a sperm cell. The respective sperm cell pair is delivered by a single pollen tube. In some plant species, the two male gametes appear to express a different bias towards the female gametes. Such a preference consequently determines their respective contribution to either embryo or endosperm development. In Arabidopsis and many other species the sperm cells are indistinguishable and it has been discussed whether they possess an inherent preference for either of the female gametes. The recent isolation of mutants that form an aberrant number of either male or female gametes stimulates discussion, albeit with different results. Furthermore, some data indicate that the central cell is competent to initiate endosperm formation without a paternal contribution. These data support the theory that the endosperm is of gametophytic rather than sporophytic origin.