Adaptive reduction of male gamete number in the selfing plant Arabidopsis thaliana

Tsuchimatsu, Takashi; Kakui, Hiroyuki; Yamazaki, Misako; Marona, Cindy; Tsutsui, Hiroki; Hedhly, Afif; Meng, Dong; Satō, Yutaka; Städler, Thomas; Grossniklaus, Ueli; Kanaoka, Masahiro M.; Lenhard, Michael; Nordborg, Magnus; Shimizu, Kentaro

doi:10.1038/s41467-020-16679-7

Cited by 39 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 60 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Even among clones, there was more than a two-fold difference in pollen number. Such a large variation in pollen number from the same plant has also been reported in Arabidopsis species and in wheat [5,15]. Fig.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 73%

“…The determination of pollen grain number is important in evolutionary, agricultural, and medical studies. From an evolutionary perspective, sel ng plant species tend to produce lower pollen numbers than closely related outcrossing plant species [1][2][3][4][5]. The reduced pollen number in sel ng plants is thought to decrease the cost of pollen production.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Combined analyses of sequence and phenotype data is a powerful tool for the identi cation of new genes. We recently identi ed a gene controlling pollen number using a genome-wide association study in Arabidopsis thaliana [5]. To estimate the pollen number from A. thaliana accessions, we developed a high-throughput method to count pollen grains e ciently [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

An improved pollen number counting method using a cell counter and mesh columns

Kakui

Tsurisaki²,

Sassa

et al. 2020

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundThe determination of pollen number is important in evolutionary, agricultural, and medical studies. Tree species of the Cupressaceae family cause serious pollinosis worldwide. Although Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is the most important forestry species in Japan, it is also the biggest cause of pollinosis in the country. Japanese cedar trees have been selected for growth speed and superior morphological traits and then cloned. These clones may vary in their pollen production, but there has been little research on how many pollen grains are produced by a single male strobilus (flower). A recently reported method for counting pollen number with a cell counter was applicable to Arabidopsis species and wheat, but was not suitable for Japanese cedar because the strobilus does not open with heating (e.g. 60°C, overnight). ResultsHere, we report an improved pollen counting method for Japanese cedar using a precise and rapid cell counter in combination with home-made mesh columns. The male strobilus was gently crushed using a pestle. Large and small debris were then removed using 100- and 20-μm mesh columns. We successfully detected pollen sizes and numbers that differed between two clones using this method. ConclusionsThis improved method is not only suitable for counting pollen from Japanese cedar, but could also be applied to other species of the Cupressaceae family with hard scale tissue covering the pollen. Moreover, this method could be applied to a broader range of plant species, such as wheat, because there is no need to wait for anthesis and debris can be removed efficiently.

show abstract

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

An improved pollen number counting method using a cell counter and mesh columns

Kakui

Tsurisaki²,

Sassa

et al. 2020

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…From an evolutionary perspective, sel ng plant species tend to produce lower pollen numbers than closely related outcrossing plant species [1][2][3][4][5]. The reduced pollen number in sel ng plants is thought to decrease the cost of pollen production.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An improved pollen number counting method using a cell counter and mesh columns

Kakui

Tsurisaki²,

Sassa

et al. 2020

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background The determination of pollen number is important in evolutionary, agricultural, and medical studies. Tree species of the Cupressaceae family cause serious pollinosis worldwide. Although Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is the most important forestry species in Japan, it is also the biggest cause of pollinosis in the country. Japanese cedar trees have been selected for growth speed and superior morphological traits and then cloned. These clones may vary in their pollen production, but there has been little research on how many pollen grains are produced by a single male strobilus (flower). A recently reported method for counting pollen number with a cell counter was applicable to Arabidopsis species and wheat, but was not suitable for Japanese cedar because the strobilus does not open with heating. Results Here, we report an improved pollen counting method for Japanese cedar using a precise and rapid cell counter in combination with home-made mesh columns. The male strobilus was gently crushed using a pestle. Large and small debris were then removed using 100- and 20-µm mesh columns. We successfully detected pollen sizes and numbers that differed between two clones using this method. Conclusions This improved method is not only suitable for counting pollen from Japanese cedar, but could also be applied to other species of the Cupressaceae family with hard scale tissue covering the pollen. Moreover, this method could be applied to a broader range of plant species, such as wheat, because there is no need to wait for anthesis and debris can be removed efficiently.

show abstract

The Boechera model system for evolutionary ecology

Rushworth

Wagner

Mitchell‐Olds

et al. 2022

American J of Botany

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Model systems in biology expand the research capacity of individuals and the community. Closely related to Arabidopsis, the genus Boechera has emerged as an important ecological model owing to the ability to integrate across molecular, functional, and eco‐evolutionary approaches. Boechera species are broadly distributed in relatively undisturbed habitats predominantly in western North America and provide one of the few experimental systems for identification of ecologically important genes through genome‐wide association studies and investigations of selection with plants in their native habitats. The ecologically, evolutionarily, and agriculturally important trait of apomixis (asexual reproduction via seeds) is common in the genus, and field experiments suggest that abiotic and biotic environments shape the evolution of sex. To date, population genetic studies have focused on the widespread species B. stricta, detailing population divergence and demographic history. Molecular and ecological studies show that balancing selection maintains genetic variation in ~10% of the genome, and ecological trade‐offs contribute to complex trait variation for herbivore resistance, flowering phenology, and drought tolerance. Microbiome analyses have shown that host genotypes influence leaf and root microbiome composition, and the soil microbiome influences flowering phenology and natural selection. Furthermore, Boechera offers numerous opportunities for investigating biological responses to global change. In B. stricta, climate change has induced a shift of >2 weeks in the timing of first flowering since the 1970s, altered patterns of natural selection, generated maladaptation in previously locally‐adapted populations, and disrupted life history trade‐offs. Here we review resources and results for this eco‐evolutionary model system and discuss future research directions.

show abstract

Adaptive reduction of male gamete number in the selfing plant Arabidopsis thaliana

Cited by 39 publications

References 60 publications

An improved pollen number counting method using a cell counter and mesh columns

An improved pollen number counting method using a cell counter and mesh columns

An improved pollen number counting method using a cell counter and mesh columns

The Boechera model system for evolutionary ecology

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About