Mechanisms of unreduced gamete formation in flowering plants

Unreduced gametes play a fundamental role in speciation of flowering plants, asexual reproduction of plants, and restoration of fertility of distant hybrids used to produce new varieties with breeding-valuable traits. Unreduced gametes are formed as a result of meiotic restitution. To date, a large body of data has been accumulated on the types of meiotic restitution in dicots and monocots. However, there is no clear idea on the cytological mechanisms of this process. In this review, we systematize and analyze all currently known mechanisms of restitution in plants. New data on the mechanisms and genetic regulation of unreduced gamete formation in intergeneric wheat hybrids are presented.