Gene expression patterns in the maize caryopsis: clues to decisions in embryo and endosperm development

We will describe gene expression patterns in the maize caryopsis, which pro vide clues to developmental decisions and questions in the embryo and endos perm. The emphasis will be on the development of the root/shoot axis, which is the main achievement of plant embryogenesis. Data obtained in the veget ative seedling are included as far as they may be relevant to the elaborati on of the shoot/root axis. Development of the embryo will be briefly compar ed to endosperm as both seed compartment exhibit pronounced differences. (C ) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.