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Arabidopsis AtGPAT1, a member of the membrane-bound glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase gene family, is essential for tapetum differentiation and male fertility

From National Research Council Canada

DOIResolve DOI: https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.012427
AuthorSearch for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1
Affiliation
  1. National Research Council Canada. NRC Plant Biotechnology Institute
FormatText, Article
Abstract
Membrane-bound glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT; EC 2.3.1.15) mediates the initial step of glycerolipid biosynthesis in the extraplastidic compartments of plant cells. Here, we report the molecular characterization of a novel GPAT gene family from Arabidopsis, designated AtGPAT. The corresponding polypeptides possess transmembrane domains and GPAT activity when expressed heterologously in a yeast lipid mutant. The functional significance of one isoform, AtGPAT1, is the focus of the present study. Disruption of the AtGPAT1 gene causes a massive pollen development arrest, and subsequent introduction of the gene into the mutant plant rescues the phenotype, illustrating a pivotal role for AtGPAT1 in pollen development. Microscopic examinations revealed that the gene lesion results in a perturbed degeneration of the tapetum, which is associated with altered endoplasmic reticulum profiles and reduced secretion. In addition to the sporophytic effect, AtGPAT1 also exerts a gametophytic effect on pollen performance, as the competitive ability of a pollen grain to pollinate is dependent on the presence of an AtGPAT1 gene. Deficiency in AtGPAT1 correlates with several fatty acid composition changes in flower tissues and seeds. Unexpectedly, however, a loss of AtGPAT1 causes no significant change in seed oil content.
Publication date
PublisherOxford Academic
American Society of Plant Biologists
In
  • Plant Cell 15, no. 8 (August 2003): 1872–1887.
LanguageEnglish
Peer reviewedYes
NPARC number13052793
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Record identifierde446574-2a8b-4f0e-bfee-89966158990b
Record created2009-11-25
Record modified2023-04-11
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