种子发育与人类生活息息相关，但种子发育相关的研究证据仍然很少。 最近，我们在未受精胚珠的合点端发现了一种物质，由于它能被苯胺兰染色，我们认为这是胼胝质。该物质在双受精后消失，但在受精失败的胚珠中大量积累。利用DR5p:GUS对生长素的合成进行分析，发现生长素仅在珠柄处积累。此外，发现两个胼胝降解酶基因（CDE1；CDE2）的表达受双受精的调控，仅在双受精成功的胚珠中表达上调。突变体cde1即使双受精成功，也不能完全降解合点端的胼胝质；cde1的种子较野生型小约25%；cde1 的根发育也受到了影响，推测是受到营养物质/激素供给不足影响。观察受精缺陷突变体gcs1发现其胚珠合点端有大量胼胝质积累，授粉三天后胚珠会逐渐干瘪死亡。因此，我们认为该物质像一个“门”，控制着激素/营养物质的运输，而这个“胼胝质门”则受双受精的调控。为了证明此猜想，我们提出了3个研究计划，来探究 “胼胝质门”相关的分子

To study seed development is extremely important because it is directly associated with the food for our life. However, very few molecular evidences are known for this process especially from fertilization to seed formation. Recently, we have identified an important component located at the edge of an ovule (a seed before fertilization). Since the component was stained by aniline blue, we judged it was synthesized by callose. The component exists before fertilization but will be disappeared after fertilization. We also have identified that the component will persists if the ovule fails fertilization when we cross wild type ovule and gcs1/gcs1 pollen (a fertilization defective mutant). We also checked a DR5p:GUS marker line to clarify the synthesis of the auxin and it was localized not on the ovule but on the funiculus, a bridge-like structure connected from the placenta to the ovule. In addition, two callose degradation enzyme genes (Callose Degradation Enzyme 1 = CDE1 and Callose Degradation Enzyme 2 = CDE2) are upregulated only when the ovule is fertilized. Interestingly, mutation of the cde1 gene failed to degrade the callose gate completely even though the ovules were fertilized. In addition, cde1 mutants produce smaller seeds and shorter roots than those of wild type because the callose gate is not completely opened and the seeds were not able to intake sufficient hormones/ nutrients. Finally, if the ovule fails to degrade the component by 3 days after pollination, it will be aborted in gcs1 mutants. From these results, we hereby hypothesize that the component is a “gate” regulating supplements of hormone/nutrient flow to the ovule and the gate is only open when the fertilization is accomplished. To investigate the hypothesis, we prepared 3 research projects to mainly identify the signals to open the callose gate from the fertilized cells. Identification of these signals will contribute not only for the study of the seed formation but also for the agricultural improvements.