The research activity of the group focuses on identifying the genetic and molecular mechanisms that regulate ovule and seed development. We are particularly interested in two aspects: the determination of ovule number—and thus seed number—and the control of seed size.

Ovule and seed formation is an essential process in the plant life cycle, as it ensures successful reproduction. It is also of great economic relevance, as it directly impacts crop yield. It is worth highlighting that human and livestock nutrition relies heavily on calories derived from seeds, particularly cereals and legumes.

Unraveling the gene networks that control seed number and size will enable the development of new strategies for crop improvement. Additionally, ovule initiation and morphogenesis represent an excellent model system for generating knowledge in the field of plant development.

Seed number and size are determined by a complex genetic network involving numerous transcription factors regulated by hormonal signaling pathways, including brassinosteroids, auxins, and cytokinins.

Our group’s data point to gibberellins as a new key regulator—through the action of DELLA proteins—in determining ovule and seed number in Arabidopsis and agronomically important species such as tomato and rapeseed, as well as in controlling seed size. Our current work focuses primarily on uncovering which DELLA-regulated genes are involved in these processes. To tackle this, we use molecular genetics, genomics, biochemistry, and microscopy techniques.

Scientific strategies:

1. Identification of transcription factors (TFs) that interact with DELLA proteins during ovule and seed development in Arabidopsis, followed by identification and characterization of the direct targets of the DELLA-TF module in the placenta, ultimately responsible for ovule and seed formation.

2. Study of the genetic pathways that cause certain Arabidopsis della mutants to produce larger ovules and seeds.

3. Characterization of the genetic and molecular interaction between gibberellins and brassinosteroids in ovule formation in tomato, focusing on the regulation of gibberellin metabolism by brassinosteroids and identifying DELLA target genes. Special attention will be paid to processes that differ from those observed in Arabidopsis.

4. Evolutionary study of ovules by analyzing changes in their morphology from basal angiosperms to more recently evolved angiosperms.

Research lines:

1. Gibberellin-mediated control of seed number, size, and quality: uncovering the molecular mechanism to develop biotechnological tools. Project PID2020-113920RB-I00 (01/08/2021–31/07/2024), funded by the Spanish Research Agency.

Barro-Trastoy D, Gómez MD, Tornero P, Pérez-Amador, MA (2024)

Hormonal regulation of ovule initiation in Arabidopsis.

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation doi:10.1007/s00344-024-11234-w

Gomez MD, Cored I, Barro-Trastoy D, Sanchez-Matilla J, Tornero P, Perez-Amador MA (2023)

DELLA proteins positively regulate seed size in Arabidopsis

Development doi: 10.1242/dev.201853

Cecilia Martinez-Martinez C, Gonzalo MJ, Sipowicz P, Campos M, Martinez-Fernández I, Leida C, Zouane M, Alexiou K, Garcia-Mas J, Gomez MD, Tornero P, Pérez-Amador MA, Esteras C, Picó B, Romero C, Monforte AJ (2022)

A cryptic variation in a member of the Ovate Family Proteins is underlying the melon fruit shape QTL fsqs8.1.

Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 135:785-801. DOI: 10.1007/s00122-021-03998-6

Barro-Trastoy D, Gomez MD, Tornero P, Perez-Amador MA (2022)

Gibberellins regulate ovule number through a DELLA–CUC2 complex in Arabidopsis

The Plant Journal, 110:43-57. DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15607

Ventimilla D, Velázquez K, Ruiz-Ruiz S, Terol J, Peres-Amador MA, Vives MC, Guerri J, Talon M, Tadeo FR. (2021)

IDA (INFLORESCENCE DEFICIENT IN ABSCISSION)-like peptides and HAE (HAESA)-like receptors regulate corolla abscission in Nicotiana benthamiana flowers

BMC Plant Biology, 21:226. DOI: 10.1186/s12870-021-02994-8

Gomez MD, Barro-Trastoy D, Fuster-Almunia C, Tornero P, Alonso JM, Perez-Amador MA (2020)

Gibberellin-mediated RGA-LIKE1 degradation regulates embryo sac development in Arabidopsis

Journal of Experimental Botany, 71:7059–7072. doi: 10.1093/jxb/eraa395

Barro-Trastoy D, Gomez MD, Tornero P, Perez-Amador MA (2020)

On the Way to Ovules: The Hormonal Regulation of Ovule Development

Critical Reviews in Plant Science, 39:431-456. doi.org/10.1080/07352689.2020.1820203

Barro-Trastoy D, Carrera E, Baños J, Palau-Rodriguez J, Ruiz-Rivero O, Tornero P, Alonso JM, López-Díaz I, Gomez MD, Perez-Amador MA (2020)

Regulation of ovule initiation by gibberellins and brassinosteroids in tomato and Arabidopsis: two plant species, two molecular mechanisms.

The Plant Journal, 102:1026–1041. doi: 10.1111/tpj.14684

Brumos J, Zhao C, Gong Y, Soriano D, Patel AP, PEREZ-AMADOR MA, Stepanova AN, Alonso JM (2019)

An improved recombineering toolset for plants

The Plant Cell, 32: 100-122, https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.19.00431

Gomez MD, Fuster-Almunia C; Ocaña-Cuesta J, Alonso JM, Perez-Amador MA (2019)

RGL2 controls flower development, ovule number and fertility in Arabidopsis

Plant Science,  281: 82-92. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.01.014

Alvarez-Ponce D, Ruiz-González MX, Vera-Sirera F, Feyertag F, Perez-Amador MA, Fares MA (2018)

Arabidopsis Heat Stress-Induced Proteins Are Enriched in Electrostatically Charged Amino Acids and Intrinsically Disordered Regions

Int J Mol Sci 19: E2276

Gomez MD, Barro-Trastoy D, Escoms E, Saura-Sánchez M, Sánchez I, Briones-Moreno A, Vera-Sirera F, Carrera E, Ripoll JJ, Yanofsky MF, Lopez-Diaz I, Alonso JM, , Perez-Amador MA (2018)

Gibberellins negatively modulate ovule number in plants

Development 145, dev163865. doi: 10.1242/dev.163865

Merelo P, Agustí J, Arbona V, Costa ML, Estornell LH, Gómez-Cadenas A, Coimbra S, Gómez MD, Pérez-Amador MA, Talón M, Tadeo FR (2017)

Cell wall remodeling in abscission zone cells during ethylene-promoted fruit abscission in citrus

Front Plant Sci 8: 126. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00126

Reig C, Gil-Muñoz F, Vera-Sirera F, García-Lorca A, Martínez-Fuentes A, Mesejo C, Pérez-Amador MA, Agustí M (2017)

Bud sprouting and floral induction and expression of FT in loquat [Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl

Planta 246:915-925

Gimeno-Ferrer F, Pastor-Cantizano N, Bernart-Silvestre C, Selvi-Martinez P, Vera-Sirera F, Gao C, Perez-Amador MA, Jiang L, Aniento F, Marcote MJ (2016)

Alpha2-COP is involved in early secretory traffic in Arabidopsis and is required for plant growth.

J Exp Bot 68: 391-401

Gomez MD, Ventimilla D, Sacristan R, Perez-Amador MA (2016)

Gibberellins regulate ovule integument development by interfering with the transcription factor ATS

Plant Physiol 172: 2403-2415

Leida C, Dal Rí A, Dalla Costa L, Gomez MD, Pompili V, Sonego P, Engelen K, Masuero D, Ríos G, Moser C (2016)

Insights into the Role of the Berry-Specific Ethylene Responsive Factor VviERF045

Front Plant Sci 7: 1793