Identifying new players of gynoecium development using tissue-specific transcriptome data of Arabidopsis

Reproductive success in angiosperms depends on the correct development of the male and female organs. Pollen grains will land and germinate on the stigma, followed by the growth of pollen tubes that pass through the transmitting tract system of the gynoecium to reach the ovules. After the fertilization process occurred, seed and fruit development initiates. Genetic networks direct these biological processes needed for flower and fruit development to occur. Although many genes have been identified, still genes are to be discovered also to be involved in these networks. The availability of transcriptomic data from specific tissues of the gynoecium in Arabidopsis allowed us to select genes for functional analysis. As a result, from the analysis of the mutant plants we found that the genes CLE19, TBL36, ATHB5, CYCP4;1, AT3G06035, and AT1G15760 affect fertility in Arabidopsis. The mutant plants showed gynoecia with aborted ovules and short fruits with a lower number of seeds compared to wild type. Furthermore, pollen development and pollen tube growth were affected in most of the mutants. These results help us know and understand the genes that contribute to flower development in Arabidopsis.