Control of Programmed Cell Death During Plant Reproductive Development

Abstract

Programmed cell death (PCD) is an actively controlled, genetically encoded self-destruct mechanism of the cell. While many forms of PCD have been described and molecularly dissected in animals, we know to date only little about the control of PCD processes in plants. Nevertheless, plant PCD is a crucial component of a plant's reaction to its biotic and abiotic environment and a central theme during plant development. In this chapter, we review the communication events triggering and executing, or preventing, PCD during plant reproductive development. These comprise intracellular communication, as well as signaling between cells and tissues, and the intricate communication between genetically distinct individuals that are necessary for successful plant reproduction.

Programmed Cell Death Controlled by ANAC033/SOMBRERO Determines Root Cap Organ Size in Arabidopsis

“…Several cases of developmental PCD have been investigated in various developmental contexts of a number of different plant species [3,32]. Evidence for developmentally regulated PCD was found, for instance, during gametophyte development, pollination, and fertilization [33][34][35]; in the endosperm and seed coat during seed development and germination [36,37]; in the embryonic suspensor [38][39][40]; during tracheary element [7,41] and anther tapetum [42,43] differentiation; and in some cases, during leaf shape development [44] and organ abscission [45].…”