Current Perspectives on the

Hormonal Control of Seed

Development in Arabidopsis
and Maize:
a Focus on Auxin
Antonella Locascio, Irma Roig-Villanova, Jamila
Bernardi, and Serena Varotto

Presented By:
Sumarlina

Seed
differentiation, development
and maturation of seed
depends
on

Coordination processes
by signals
Phytohormones
Auxin as a central
role

Seed Development
Endosperm persist until
maturation and
constitutes an
important compartment
for nutrients storage

Endosperm is reduced
to a single cell layer, as
the expanding embryo
gradually replaces it
during the maturation

FOCUS ON
HORMONAL
CONTROL BY

Seed Development in Arabidopsis and

Maize

Importence of communication
between the seed compartments

Hormonal Coordination of
Seed Development
Require a
precise
spatial and
temporal
coordination
Production,
transmission,
and perception
of Signals
Auxin as one of
hormonal
control

The Role of

The Role of
Complete loss of endogenous auxin in the embryo might be lethal

 Auxin concentration increases at the onset

of endoreduplication and remains high
throughhout
the development
Auxin is low during the initial phase of
endosperm development and increases
from 9-11 DAP remaining high until
maturation
IAA levels increase between 8 and 28 DPA
with a drop at 20 DAP

The Role of

in Maize

The mechanism of action of auxin

involves three checkpoints:

These 3 checkpoints are influencing the final size of

seed in both maize and Arabidopsis seed development

Auxin Transport During the Embryogenesis

Development of
Arabidopsis and Maize

Schematic Representation of the Factors

Affecting Seed
Development in Arabidopsis and Maize

Role of the Other

Phytohormones on Seed
Development

Epigenetic Control of Endosperm

Development by Genomic Imprinting

miRNAs Control of Seed

Development

miRNAs Control of Seed

Development