The (r)evolution of gene regulatory networks controlling Arabidopsis plant reproduction, a two decades history.

Successful plant reproduction relies on the perfect orchestration of singular processes that culminate in the product of reproduction; the seed. The floral transition, floral organ development and fertilisation are well-studied processes and the genetic regulation of the various steps is being increasingly unveiled. Initially, based predominantly on genetic studies, the regulatory pathways were considered to be linear, but recent genome-wide analyses, using high-throughput technologies, have begun to reveal a different scenario. Complex gene regulatory networks underlie these processes, including transcription factors, microRNAs, movable factors, hormones and chromatin modifying proteins. Here we review recent progress in understanding the networks that control the major steps in plant reproduction, showing how new advances in experimental and computational technologies have been instrumental. Since these recent discoveries were obtained using the model species Arabidopsis thaliana, we will restrict this review to regulatory networks in this important model species. However, more fragmentary information obtained from other species reveals that both the developmental processes and the underlying regulatory networks are largely conserved, making this review also of interest to those studying other plant species.

* Pajoro, A., * Biewers, S., * Dougali, E., * Leal Valentim, F., * Adelina Mendes, M., * Porri, A., Coupland, G., Van de Peer, Y., van Dijk, A.D.J., Colombo, L., Davies, B., Angenent, G.C. (2014) The (r)evolution of gene regulatory networks controlling Arabidopsis plant reproduction, a two decades history. Journal of Experimental Botany 65(17):4731-4745. *contributed equally

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