The endoreduplication cell cycle: Regulation and function

Abstract

The endoreduplication cell cycle is a variant of the standard mitotic cell cycle in which reiterated rounds of DNA synthesis occur in the absence of chromosome segregation and cell division. The resulting polyploid cells are frequently found in plants and often occur in tissues with a high metabolic activity that accumulate storage molecules. In this chapter we review the current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved in the modification of the mitotic cell cycle, based on a generally accepted template for plant cell cycle control, that bring about endoreduplication, as well as the influence of phytohormones and epigenetic factors. The regulation of endoreduplication is described in two model systems: the developing maize endosperm and the leaf trichome of Arabidopsis. In addition, we discuss the biological relevance and several proposed functions of this specialized cell cycle. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.