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Seed mucilage evolution: diverse molecular mechanisms generate versatile ecological functions for particular environments
  • Sébastien Viudes,
  • Vincent Burlat,
  • Christophe Dunand
Sébastien Viudes
Laboratoire de recherche en sciences vegetales

Corresponding Author:sebastien.viudes@lrsv.ups-tlse.fr

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Vincent Burlat
Laboratoire de recherche en sciences vegetales
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Christophe Dunand
Laboratoire de recherche en sciences vegetales
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Abstract

The polysaccharidic mucilage is a widespread plant trait with diverse features, often present around plant structures in contact with the environment, providing numerous functions including protection and adhesion. In myxodiasporous species, a mucilage is released upon the imbibition of the seed (myxospermy) or the fruit (myxocarpy), and therefore can play roles in the early seedling stages. It is unclear whether myxodiaspory has one or multiple evolutionary origins and why it disappeared in several species. Here, we summarize the recent advances on (i) the mucilage and mucilage secretory cell diversity, (ii) the evolution of the molecular actors involved in myxospermy underlying the observed inter- and intra-species natural diversity and (iii) the recently identified ecological functions. At the intra-species level, a high polymorphism was detected for a few genes in relation to the observed morphological diversity. Well characterized transcriptions factors interact in master regulatory complexes to balance carbon partitioning in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds. These transcription factors were sequentially recruited during seed plant evolution to control diverse traits including myxospermy, and their functions in seeds seem to be conserved across Rosids. Historically, the ecological functions of seed mucilage were mostly related to germination and seed dissemination but recently some exosystemic functions were uncovered such as soil micro-organism control and plant establishment support.
17 Apr 2020Submitted to Plant, Cell & Environment
18 Apr 2020Submission Checks Completed
18 Apr 2020Assigned to Editor
18 Apr 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
23 Apr 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
24 Apr 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
10 May 20201st Revision Received
11 May 2020Submission Checks Completed
11 May 2020Assigned to Editor
12 May 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
14 May 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
18 May 20202nd Revision Received
18 May 2020Submission Checks Completed
18 May 2020Assigned to Editor
23 May 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 May 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
04 Jun 20203rd Revision Received
05 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
05 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor
05 Jun 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Jun 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
12 Jun 20204th Revision Received
12 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor
12 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
12 Jun 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Jun 2020Editorial Decision: Accept