Integrative gene expression and heterologous functional analysis identify candidate regulators of apomixis in Eragrostis curvula
Introduction: . Methods: using GoldenBraid 2.0 expression cassettes. Results: Of the 131 differentially hybridized probes identified, 130 were upregulated in apomictic plants. BLAST analyses revealed four main candidate genes, including a hypothetical protein (EcAPO1), a pre-mRNA splicing factor CWC22-like homolog (EcAPO2), a Cyclin-2A-1 (EcAPO3), and an F-box protein (EcAPO4). PCR screening showed that EcAPO1 and EcAPO2 were exclusively present in apomictic individuals, supporting their close association with the trait. Transgenic lines displayed abnormal floral and reproductive phenotypes, including homeotic transformations, supernumerary nuclei, embryo sac arrest, and altered endosperm development. Discussion: . These findings provide a foundation for dissecting the genetic control of apomixis and advance efforts toward the applied manipulation of clonal seed reproduction in crops.
Authors
- María Cielo Pasten
- Viviana C. Echenique (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3755-9062)
- Juan Pablo Selva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8331-6865)
- Ingrid Garbus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9646-689X)
- José Carballo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3592-6466)
- Cristian A. Gallo
- Timothy F. Sharbel
- Marta A. Mendes
- Andrés Bellido
Institutions
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (AR)
- University of Milan (IT)
- University of Saskatchewan (CA)
- Universidad Nacional del Sur (AR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Plant Science
- Published
- 2026-04-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2026.1802327
- Primary Topic
- Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
- Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva
- Universitat de València
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Leibniz-Gemeinschaft
- Universitat Politècnica de València
- Horizon 2020
- Secretaría General de Ciencia y Tecnología , Universidad Nacional del Sur
- Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzengenetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung
- German Academic Exchange Service