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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Plant Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #253020
Title: Using proteomics to study sexual reproduction in angiosperms

Author
item Miernyk, Jan
item PRET'OVA, ANNA - Slovak Academy Of Sciences
item OLMEDILLA, ADELA - Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC)
item OBERT, BOHUS - Slovak Academy Of Sciences
item HAJDUCH, MARTIN - Slovak Academy Of Sciences

Submitted to: Plant Reproduction
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/21/2010
Publication Date: 9/10/2010
Citation: Miernyk, J.A., Pret'Ova, A., Olmedilla, A., Obert, B., Hajduch, M. 2010. Using proteomics to study sexual reproduction in angiosperms. Sexual Plant Reproduction. 24:9-22.

Interpretive Summary: The use of a specialized chemical method to study components of plants is described. Specifically, the use of this method to study sexual reproduction in seed plants is described in detail. In many instances, results from use of this method have been over or poorly interpreted. These errors are described, along with suggestions about how to avoid making them in future studies. Each stage of sexual reproduction is considered individually, although the emphasis is on studies of seed development or germination. A detailed prospectus is included describing research areas that need more attention in the future. This information will be useful to scientists in their efforts to improve agricultural crop production through both classical breeding and application of biotechnology strategies.

Technical Abstract: While a relative latecomer to the post-genomics era of functional biology, the application of mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis has increased exponentially over the past 10 years. Some of this increase is the result of transition of chemists physicists, and mathematicians to the study of biology, and some is due to improved methods, increased instrument sensitivity, and better techniques of bioinformatics-based data analysis. Proteomic analyses have transcended their initial purely descriptive applications and are now being employed extensively in studies of post-translational protein modifications, protein interactions, and study of metabolic networks. Herein we review the results from application of proteomics-based research approaches to study angiosperm reproduction, from flowers to seeds, and speculate on future directions. Additionally,apomixis is mentioned briefly as an aspect of plant reproduction that remains poorly understood.