Gene Expression in Somatic Embryos

Abstract

The developmental biology of somatic embryos is similar in many respects to that of plant zygotic embryos. For that reason, the analysis of gene expression during somatic embryogenesis has been viewed as an alternative means to investigate the genetic control of zygotic embryo development, which can be technically difficult. In the study of gene expression during somatic embryogenesis, the molecular events associated with embryo development must be distinguished from those associated with embryonic determination. Research into the cytology and physiology of embryonic determination in somatic carrot cells has made this a useful system for molecular analysis (Komamine et al. 1992). A comprehensive review of molecular and cellular aspects of somatic embryogenesis, with emphasis on the alfalfa system, has been published by Dudits et al. (1991). In this chapter the work of our laboratory and others on the molecular biology of carrot somatic embryogenesis is discussed. (also see Chapter I.3, this Vol.)