Embryogenesis in Angiosperms: Development of the Suspensor.

Using Genomics to Study Legume Seed Development

“…After fertilization, the zygote divides asymmetrically, giving rise to a small apical cell that develops into the embryo proper and a large basal cell that forms the suspensor. The suspensor is a terminally differentiated structure that supports and nourishes the embryo proper and degenerates later in development (Yeung and Meinke, 1993). The embryo proper, on the other hand, represents the new sporophytic generation and contains the shoot and root meristems that are responsible for generating organ systems of the mature plant after seed germination ( Fig.…”

Programmed cell death during plant growth and development

“…Twin and other embryo-defective suspensor mutants delay their autolysis program and replace it with a more embryo-like program (Yeung and Meinke, 1993). Hence the presence of a normally developing embryo proper apparently restricts growth of the suspensor and may provide the signal(s) for the induction of the cell death pathway in suspensors.…”

“…Arrested embryo growth or destruction of embryos often results in abnormally vigorous growth of suspensors (Yeung and Meinke, 1993, and references therein), including, in the embryo-defective mutant of Arabidopsis, twin, the growth of a second embryo from transformed cells within the suspensor (Vernon and Meinke, 1994). Twin and other embryo-defective suspensor mutants delay their autolysis program and replace it with a more embryo-like program (Yeung and Meinke, 1993).…”

NatA is required for suspensor development in Arabidopsis

“…[10][11][12] Through horizontal division of the basal cell, the filamentous suspensor contains an enlarged bottom cell, which is attached to maternal tissues, and a single row of 6 to 8 additional cells. 13 The suspensor becomes highly differentiated early in development and then degenerates during the subsequent cotyledon stage of embryogenesis. 12,13 The suspensor plays an important role in embryo development; it transfers nutrients and growth factors to the embryo proper and biosynthesizes plant hormones.…”

“…13 The suspensor becomes highly differentiated early in development and then degenerates during the subsequent cotyledon stage of embryogenesis. 12,13 The suspensor plays an important role in embryo development; it transfers nutrients and growth factors to the embryo proper and biosynthesizes plant hormones. 12,14,15 For example, auxin is transported from the suspensor to the embryo proper by the suspensor-specific auxin efflux carrier PIN7, and PIN7-mediated auxin transport is essential for embryo development.…”