Parental regulation of seed development

Abstract

Angiosperms produce seeds with two zygotic tissues, namely the embryo and endosperm, from a unique double fertilization process. Seed development occurs within the maternal tissue and relies on maternal resources. Paternal tissue is not directly involved in seed development, and paternal regulation is usually based on the paternal genome of zygotic tissues in the filial generation. The complicated maternal-paternal communications and maternal-zygotic interactions result in distinguishable genetic effects on seed development. Here we review the conceptual framework of parental regulations on seed development. We summarize the common seed development process and look into the regulations pertaining to maternal and zygotic effects. Examples with more complicated interactions at the inter-tissue level are also discussed in the context of interwoven parental regulations.