Characterization of a gametophyte-specific splicing factor network in relation to its sporophytic counterpart: Implications for cell specification mechanisms

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In plants, defects in the splicing factor Snu114 lead to the formation of supernumerary egg cells, and it is not clear, how an integral component of the spliceosome can cause such a specific developmental defect. In yeast, Snu114 regulates the helicase Brr2, thereby triggering the activation of the spliceosome. Snu114 function, in turn, depends on its interaction with PRP8, a core protein of the U5 subunit of the spliceosome. Intriguingly, this set of interacting genes is uniquely duplicated in plants with the second set being specifically expressed in gametophytic tissue. Our results suggest a plant specific differentiation of the spliceosome, possibly as an adaptation to the haploid nature of the gametophytes. The goal of this proposal is to characterize the gametophytic-specific splicing factor network, to analyze the relation to its sporophytic counterpart, and to specify the connection to mechanisms that regulate cell fate decisions. We hope to show with our work that the spliceosome is a modular structure that can direct developmental decisions. Our research will thus be of potential interest and benefit to all scientists working on developmental aspects of biological systems.