AUTHOR=Luptovčiak Ivan , Samakovli Despina , Komis George , Šamaj Jozef 

TITLE=KATANIN 1 Is Essential for Embryogenesis and Seed Formation in Arabidopsis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2017.00728

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2017.00728

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Cytoskeletal remodeling has a fundamental role, especially during transitional developmental stages when cells rapidly adopt new forms and roles, like gametogenesis, fertilization and concomitant embryogenesis and seed formation. KATANIN 1, a microtubule severing protein, fulfills a major regulatory mechanism of dynamic microtubule turnover in eukaryotes. Herein, we show that three well-established <italic>KATANIN 1</italic> mutants, <italic>fra2, lue1</italic> and <italic>ktn1-2</italic> collectively display lower fertility and seed set in Arabidopsis. These lower fertility and seed set rates of <italic>fra2, lue1</italic> and <italic>ktn1-2</italic> mutants were correlated to abnormalities in the development of embryo proper and seed. Such phenotypes were rescued by transformation of mutants with functional <italic>pKTN1::GFP:KTN1</italic> construct. This study significantly expands the already broad functional repertoire of KATANIN 1 and unravels its new role in embryo and seed development. Thus, KATANIN 1 significantly contributes to the fertility and proper embryo and seed formation in Arabidopsis.</p>