EML histone readers prevent seed development without fertilization

EML1 and EML3 were previously shown to be histone readers involved in plant-pathogen interactions. To learn more about the developmental function of EML1 and EML3, we generated eml1 eml3 double mutant and showed that it had specific seed developmental phenotypes, including a capability to develop seed without fertilization. Next, we analyzed the mRNA expression of genes in the eml1 eml3 double mutant and compared it to its wild type. Differentially expressed (DE) genes in the mutant were identified and compared with DE of the mutants known to be involved in regulating seed development and in fertilization-independent endosperm development. Our results suggest that some targets are shared between EML histone readers and known regulators of seed development, such as MEA. Auxin response seems to be affected in both types of mutants. However, unlike MEA, EML proteins regulate auxin responsive genes not only in the endosperm, but also in the embryo. This capability makes EML proteins very good candidates for engineering apomictic seeds. Overall design: 3 eml1,eml3 double mutant samples and 3 WT samples

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Milutinovic M, Lindsey BE 3rd, Wijeratne A, Hernandez JM, Grotewold N, Fernández V, Grotewold E, Brkljacic J