Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis and Related Plants

Embryogenesis in flowering plants begins with the fertilised zygote and proceeds through a series of highly regulated cell divisions and differentiation events that establish the fundamental body plan. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the first asymmetric division of the zygote sets up the apical–basal axis, giving rise to the embryo proper and the suspensor, an extra-embryonic structure that normally degenerates as development proceeds. Subsequent periclinal divisions establish the radial axis, delineating inner and outer cell layers from which organ primordia emerge. Underpinning these processes are dynamic changes in chromatin accessibility, histone modifications and intercellular signalling pathways that integrate maternal and paternal contributions. Comparative studies in related species reveal both conserved mechanisms—such as the maternal-to-zygotic transition—and species-specific regulatory programmes, highlighting practical applications in crop improvement and fundamental insights into plant totipotency and pattern formation.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated that zygotic genome activation occurs immediately after fertilisation and is indispensable for the first asymmetric division in Arabidopsis. By combining an optimised expansion microscopy protocol with live-imaging of cultured ovules, researchers detected transcriptional marks in the zygote prior to its first division and showed that inhibition of transcription disrupts early embryonic cleavage. These findings establish the timing and developmental necessity of zygotic transcription, refining our understanding of the maternal-to-zygotic transition and its role in initiating plant embryogenesis.

Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis and Related Plants publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in embryogenesis in arabidopsis and related plants across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Zygotic genome activation: Onset of transcription from the zygote’s own genome following fertilisation.

Suspensor: A transient structure that physically supports the embryo proper and normally degenerates during development.

Periclinal division: A cell division parallel to the tissue surface, producing inner and outer cell layers.

Radial axis: The developmental axis that organises concentric cell layers around a central core.

Chromatin accessibility: The degree to which DNA is exposed for transcription factor binding, regulated by histone modifications and remodelling complexes.

References

1. Dynamic chromatin regulatory programs during embryogenesis of hexaploid wheat. Genome Biology (2023).
2. Arabidopsis ribosomal RNA processing meerling mutants exhibit suspensor-derived polyembryony due to direct reprogramming of the suspensor. The Plant Cell (2024).
3. HD-ZIP IV genes are essential for embryo initial cell polarization and the radial axis formation in Arabidopsis. Current Biology (2024).
4. Transcriptional integration of paternal and maternal factors in the Arabidopsis zygote. Genes & Development (2017).
5. Transcriptional Activation of Arabidopsis Zygotes Is Required for Initial Cell Divisions. Scientific Reports (2019).