Transcription Factors and Their Regulatory Roles in the Male Gametophyte Development of Flowering Plants

Abstract

Male gametophyte development in plants relies on the functions of numerous genes, whose expression is regulated by transcription factors (TFs), non-coding RNAs, hormones, and diverse environmental stresses. Several excellent reviews are available that address the genes and enzymes associated with male gametophyte development, especially pollen wall formation. Growing evidence from genetic studies, transcriptome analysis, and gene-by-gene studies suggests that TFs coordinate with epigenetic machinery to regulate the expression of these genes and enzymes for the sequential male gametophyte development. However, very little summarization has been performed to comprehensively review their intricate regulatory roles and discuss their downstream targets and upstream regulators in this unique process. In the present review, we highlight the research progress on the regulatory roles of TF families in the male gametophyte development of flowering plants. The transcriptional regulation, epigenetic control, and other regulators of TFs involved in male gametophyte development are also addressed.

Molecular Insights into Macromolecules Structure, Function, and Regulation

“…The all-atom spatial-temporal structures and dynamics characteristics of macromolecules have become the key to understanding the internal relationship between the structure and function, molecular mechanisms, and functional regulation of related systems [1]. On this point, the intention of this Special Issue is to discuss the structural prediction/modeling and biological function of macromolecules with a variety of computational approaches and experimental strategies in order to study their molecular mechanisms and mutual regulatory interactions (e.g., with nucleic acids, proteins, and relevant condensed matter) [2][3][4].…”