Role of Arabidopsis LEAFY COTYLEDON genes in seed development

Embryogenesis is a critical period of the higher plant life cycle during which a single-celled zygote undergoes a series of differentiation events, leading to formation of a mature embryo that is generally desiccated and quiescent metabolically. Embryo development consists of two conceptually distinct phases: the early morphogenesis phase and the late maturation phase. Arabidopsis LEAN COTYLEDON genes are central regulators of embryogenesis that play key roles in processes that occur during both the early and late phases. Evidence is discussed which suggests that the LEAFY COTYLEDON genes coordinate the morphogenesis and maturation phases and confer embryogenic competence to cells.