Gametangia Development In The Moss Physcomitrella Patens

Eggs and sperm are reproductive cells produced, respectively, in archegonia and antheridia in all land plants except seed plants, in which gametangia are highly reduced. The moss Physcomitrella patens is a suitable model plant to study the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of archegonia and antheridia and to gain an insight into their evolutionary origin. We have described the development of gametangia and the sporophyte in P. patens. We have screened 4825 gene-trap lines, in which a promoterless GUS reporter gene has been integrated, and have obtained 38 lines with GUS expression in gametangia. Expression patterns of GUS reporters have been examined during the development of gametangia and classified into several categories. We have discussed possible future approaches for the study of gametangia development and evolution.