POC Conf. Call 4-26-11

POC meeting, Webex Conference Call; Date: Tuesday Apr 26th, 2011 10am (PDT)

In attendance:

POC members:

Absent:

Collaborators:

Acceptance of the minutes from the POC_Conf._Call_4-19-11?

Summary of Plant Embryo and Embryonic Plant Structure Terms from last week's meeting:

plant embryo (PO:0009009)

Proposed new def'n: A whole plant in the early part of a sporophytic phase after the first cell division.

new proposed comment: An embryo is generally formed after the first division of a zygote, but in the case of adventitious embryos, somatic embryos, other embryos that arise through apogamy, and cultured haploid embryos, it is formed after the division of a single cell that is not a zygote. The end of the embryonic phase varies among taxa. In seed plants, the embryonic phase ends with germination. In pteridophytes, the embryonic phase ends with the formation of the first true leaf after the cotyledon(s). In bryophytes, the embryonic phase ends when the apical cell stops dividing and the sporangium begins to develop.

• cultured zygote-derived plant embryo(new term): proposed def'n:

synonym: cultured zygotic embryo, is_a zygotic (plant) embryo, and is_a cultured embryo

• zygotic plant embryo (new term): proposed def'n:

is_a plant embryo

• haploid embryo' (microspore-derived HE?) (new term): proposed def'n:

is_a cultured embryo

• somatic plant embryo (new term): proposed def'n: embryos that arise where embryos normally would not arise, i.e.: on the edges of leaves on Kalanchoe or ferns, derived from apogamy.

synonym: adventitious embryo (merged into new term) alt id: PO:0004537

Adventitious embryo should be a synonym for somatic embryo, or maybe a child of somatic embryo.??

embryonic plant structures

At the POC_Conf._Call_4-19-11 we discussed how to deal with structures that are part of an embryo when the plant is in the embryonic phase but are also part of a plant after it passes out of the embryonic phase, like hypocotyl root junction or coleorhiza.

As a solution, we will specify sibling terms like embryonic radicle and seedling radicle, with the correct part_of or participates_in relations and develops from relations (e.g., seedling radicle develops_from embryonic radicle). Includes six classes (see below).

* embryonic plant structure (PO:0025099): Proposed def'n: A plant structure that is part of an embryo.

Comment: Includes plant structures that only occur in embryos (such as suspensor) as well as plant structures that are part of an embryo when a plant is in the embryonic phase (such as embryonic radicle).

Terms that are is_a children of embryonic plant structure:

embryo proper (PO:0000001): An embryonic plant structure that is the body of a developing embryo attached to the maternal tissue in an ovule by a suspensor.

scutellum (PO:0020110): An embryonic plant structure that is a more or less shield-shaped and absorptive portion of an embryo of Poaceae.

suspensor (PO:0020108): An embryonic plant structure at the base of an embryo that develops from an embryonic basal cell and connects an embryo proper to the wall of a megagametophyte.

From DWS: We can also use Singh's "Embryology of Gymnosperms" as a basic reference to create a list of terms that are unique to embryos in gymnosperms.

New definitions for embryonic plant cells and tissues

Both now have cross-product definitions, and no asserted is_a children

embryonic plant cell (PO:0025028): A plant cell that is part of a plant embryo.

-is_a embryonic plant structure, intersection_of: is_a plant cell, intersection_of: part_of embryo

*embryonic apical cell (PO: replaces apical cell PO:0004000): An embryonic plant cell that is the uppermost cell formed after the first division of the zygote.

-is_a apical cell; part_of plant embryo (still dev_from zygote). Should probably obsolete and replace with new term to avoid confusion?

*embryonic basal cell (formerly: basal cell) (PO:0002002):An embryonic plant cell that is the lower-most cell formed after the first division of the zygote.

-is_a plant cell, part of plant embryo (still dev_from zygote)

* embryonic hypophysis (formerly hypophysis) (PO:0020109):An embryonic plant cell that is the uppermost cell of the suspensor from which part of the root and root cap in the embryo of angiosperms are derived.

-is_a plant cell, part_of plant embryo.

*(portion of) embryonic plant tissue (PO:0025233): A portion of plant tissue that is part of a plant embryo.

is_a embryonic plant structure, intersection_of: is_a portion of plant tissue, intersection_of: part_of plant embryo

Comment: This class is for tissues that only occur as part of an embryo. (is this statement still true? - No. Remove this comment. Already have comment for embryonic plant structure)

Should we add the portion of prefix to the name?

• coleorhiza (PO:0020034), embryo cortex (PO:0005014), embryo epidermis (PO:0005015), embryonic shoot apical meristem (PO:0006362), epiblast (PO:0020036), scutellar epithelium (PO:0008048), and scutellum epidermis (PO:0006049) are now inferred children of (portion of) embryonic plant tissue.

Here is a picture of some plant tissues, to show how it works:

Proposed changes/questions for structures that were is_a embryonic plant structure:

structures that only occur in embryos

• embryo axis (PO:0019018): An axial part of an embryo that has as parts a hypocotyl and a root meristem or, if present, a radicle.

Proposed definition: A plant axis that is the axial part of an embryo.

Comment: Has a hypocotyl, root meristem, and radicle as parts, if present.

part_of embryo

• plumule(PO:0020032): A somewhat differentiated terminal bud above the cotyledonary node, in which one or more internodes and leaves or scales can be discerned in a primordial stage.

Comment: Occurs in several embryo types.

made is_a terminal bud, part_of embryo

• embryonic leaf (PO:0006338): One of the first few leaves to develop from the embryonic shoot apical meristem [GR:pj].

Proposed definition: A vascular leaf that is part of an embryo and is one of the first few leaves to develop from the embryonic shoot apical meristem.

Comment: This term is used to described not yet fully-developed leaves that are part of an embryo.

part_of embryo

• scutellar node (PO:0004708): The region in of an embryo axis between the primary root (enclosed in the coleorhiza) and the plumule (enclosed in the coleoptile) to which the scutellum is attached. [MaizeGDB:lv]

Too vague, because the region between the primary root and the plumule contains the mesocotyl as well as the scutellar node.

Proposed definition: A stem node that is the part of an embryo axis directly above the radicle where the scutellum is attached.

Comment: Found in grasses where no hypocotyl is present. The scutellar node may represent a reduction of the hopocotyl and cotelydonary node. [ref.: Esau 1965]

is_a stem node, part_of embryo axis

structures that occur in embryos and after embyronic phase

• coleoptile (PO:0020033): A tubular (embryonic) plant structure developed at the junction of the cotyledonary sheath with the seedling axis, and surrounding the plumule of a monocot embryo or seedling. [APWeb:Glossary]

We do not have the term cotyledonary sheath in the PO, and, according to Beentje (the Kew Plant Glossary), the coleoptile is the cotyledonary sheath. Also, the coleoptile persists after germination, so it is not an embryonic plant structure. According to Esau, the coleoptile has stomata, which means it has an epidermis, and this consists of two or more tissue types. This makes it a plant organ, even though many authors casually refer to it as a tissue.

Proposed definition: A phyllome that surrounds the plumule of an embryo or the emerging shoot apex of a seedling. [ISBN:9781842464229, ISBN: 0471244554]

Comment: Found in Poaceae. Develops at the first node above the scutellum, and thus is often thought to be the first leaf. Protects the emerging shoot system as it grows through the soil.

Note: A phyllome is "a lateral plant organ produced by a shoot apical meristem."

New children:

embryonic coleoptile (PO:0025286): A coleoptile that is part of a plant embryo.

seedling coleoptile (PO:0025287): A coleoptile that is part of a whole plant in the seedling phase.

(can't add participates in seedling phase yet) develops_from embryonic coleoptile

• coleorhiza (PO:0020034): A portion of plant tissue surrounding the radicle in the embryo or seedling of some monocots. [APWeb:Glossary]

Currently part_of embryo, but it is also part of the seedling. It develops in the embryo, but persists after germination to protect the embryonic root. The coleorhiza, like the coleoptile, has an epidermis (and root hairs), and thus should be classified as a plant organ, even though many authors casually refer to it as a tissue.

Proposed definition: A plant organ that surrounds the radicle in the embryo and seedling.

Comment: Found in Poaceae and some other monocots. Protects the emerging embryonic root. The parenchyma cells of both the coleorhiza and epiblast may function in storage.

New children:

embryonic coleorhiza (PO:0025288): A coleorhiza that is part of a plant embryo.

seedling coleorhiza (PO:0025289): A coleorhiza that is part of a whole plant in the seedling phase.

(can't add participates in seedling phase yet) develops_from embryonic coleorhiza

• hypocotyl (PO:0020100): The part of the stem below the cotyledonary node and transitional to a root, found in a young sporophyte. [APWeb:Glossary]

currently is_a cardinal organ part, propose is_a stem internode (we didn't have this term before but do now)

Proposed definition: A stem internode that is the part of a stem below the cotyledonary node and transitional to a root.

is_a stem internode

New children:

embryonic hypocotyl (PO:0025290): A hypocotyl that is part of a plant embryo.

seedling hypocotyl (PO:0025291): A hypocotyl that is part of a whole plant in the seedling phase.

(can't add participates in seedling phase yet) develops_from embryonic hypocotyl

• hypocotyl-root junction (PO:0004724): A cardinal organ part that is the part of an embryonic axis where the radicle joins the hypocotyl.

Moved to is_a cardinal organ part. Will automatically be is_a embryonic plant structure b/c it is part of embryonic axis.

Proposed definition: A cardinal organ part that is the part of an embryonic axis where the radicle joins the hypocotyl.

Comment: Although the hypocotyl-root junction remains after germination, it is generally only referred to during the embryonic phase.

synonym: embryo axis transition zone (Bell and Bryan 2008, and others)

If necessary, we could add a term "seedling hypocotyl root junction".

• epicotyl (PO:0020035): The first internode of a stem above the hypocotyl. In literature also used for the entire embryonic axis, consisting of several internodes, above the cotyledonary node. [APWeb:Glossary]

currently is_a embryonic plant structure, propose is_a stem internode (PO:0005005). Also, the second part of the current definition only adds ambiguity. Need to define it more precisely.

Proposed definition: The first stem internode above a hypocotyl. [Esau]

Comment: The epicotyl is the first internode of a stem above the cotyledons.

New children:

embryonic epicotyl (PO:0025292): A epicotyl that is part of a plant embryo.

seedling epicotyl (PO:0025293): A epicotyl that is part of a whole plant in the seedling phase.

(can't add participates in seedling phase yet) develops_from embryonic epicotyl

• mesocotyl (PO:0020037): The internode between the cotyledon or cotyledons and the leaf or leaves at the next node of a young sporophyte.

This definition sounds like the same thing as an epicotyl. Esau says the mesocotyl is the plant axis between the scutellum and the coleoptile and that in grasses, the scutellum is generally thought to represent the cotyledon and the coleoptile to represent the first leaf. In that case, the mesocotyl (as the axis between the scutellum and the coleoptile), is analogous (or homologous) to the epicotyl in dicots and other monocots. In grasses, the hypocotyl is not visible, except perhaps as the scutellar node.

For a picture, see http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/GerminationEvents.html

Proposed definition: A shoot internode that is the part of an embryo axis or the stem of a seedling above the scutellum and below the coleoptile. [Easu]

Comment: Occurs in grasses. In grasses, the hypocotyl and cotyledon may not be visible and may be represented by the scutellar node and scutellum, making the mesocotyl similar to the epicotyl in other taxa. Elongation of the mesocotyl during seedling growth pushes the coleoptile above the soil surface.

New children:

embryonic mesocotyl (PO:0025294): A mesocotyl that is part of a plant embryo.

seedling mesocotyl (PO:0025295): A mesocotyl that is part of a whole plant in the seedling phase.

(can't add participates in seedling phase yet) develops_from embryonic mesocotyl

• embryonic root (PO:0000045): A root that is initiated in a developing embryo. [TAIR:ki]

Embryonic root is not part_of embryo (at present). Has children radicle (PO:0020031) and seminal root (PO:0000046).

Should this be part_of embryo? Will need to revisit this when we look at organization of root (PO:0009005)

• radicle (PO:0020031): The radicle is the basal continuation of the hypocotyl in an embryo and gives rise to the root system of the adult plant; sometimes more or less abortive. is_a embryonic root [APWeb:Glossary]

Proposed definition: An embryonic root that is the basal continuation of a hypocotyl in an embryo.

Comment: May develop into the root system of an adult plant. Sometimes abortive.

Primary root (PO:0020127) develops from radicle.

New children:

embryonic radicle (PO:0025296): A radicle that is part of a plant embryo.

seedling radicle (PO:0025297): A radicle that is part of a whole plant in the seedling phase.

(can't add participates in seedling phase yet) develops_from embryonic radicle

New terms for Physcomitrella and related taxa (continued)

Collective plant structures:

gametophore (PO:0030018)

Definition supplied by Moss Ontology: The leafy moss plant. The gametophore is the adult form of the moss gametophyte and bearer of the sex organs (gametangia). Ref: Reski (1998): Development, genetics and molecular biology of mosses. Botanica Acta 111, 1-15.

Suggest is_a shoot system.

Proposed def.: A shoot system that consists of the shoot axes and non-vascular leaves of a plant in the gametophytic phase.

participates_in gametophytic phase, develops_from gametophore bud

Comment: A gametophore is the leafy part of the gametophyte of mosses and leafy liverworts, excluding the protonema. Develop from buds that form on the protonema. Antheridia and archegonia arise on the gametophore.

subset for bryophytes

gametophore bud (PO:0030026)

The term "bud" has been requested: Def'n supplied by Moss Ontology: A structure produced by a caulonema and able to develop into a gametophore or a stem that includes an apical cell able to develop into a gametophore. The earliest recognizable stage of gametophore development. Ref: Bill and Nancy Malcolm (2006): Mosses and other Bryophytes, an illustrated glossary, second edition and altered by David Cove

Suggest a new term gametophore bud. This could be a child of bud (PO:0000055: An undeveloped shoot system).

Proposed def'n: A vegetative bud that develops into a gametophore.

Comment: Occurs in mosses and leafy liverworts. Develops from a caulonema cell in mosses.

participates_in gametophytic phase, has_part gametophore apical cell

synonym: brown bud

thallus (PO:0030027)

From Parihar: A simple vegetative plant body not differentiated into root, stem and leaf, and lacking vascular tissues.

From Schofeld: A flattened gametophore in which no leaf-like organs dominate the structure.

Saying a thallus is a gametophore implies that it is a shoot system and therefore a collective plant structure (CPS). As a CPS, it must have more that one organ. This is not true for a thallus (sometime they branch, so you could say they have multiple axes, but it is a stretch. Maybe better to classify it as a whole plant.

proposed def: A whole plant in the gametophytic phase that has a flat growth form and no distinct organs.

Comment: A thallus is a gametophyte of liverworts and pteridophytes and develops from a short-lived protonema. Roughly two dimensional growth results from division of a single apical cell. Thalli may be ribbon or heart shaped or almost filamentous. Although there are no distinct organs, there may be tissue differentiation and dichotomous branching.

Add prothallium as a broad synonym of thallus and as a narrow synonym of whole plant.

Other gametophyte terms

We need to keep in mind terms for other types of gametophytes, such as the subterranean, heterotrophic gametophytes of some ferns. RW, DWS, and MAG will maintain a list of terms that we don't need to add yet, but may want to add as time allows or need demands. Can use this list, for example, for writing a renewal of things that still need to be done.

apical cell

Moss Ontology has requested the term apical cell. Apical growth in byrophytes is via division of a single cell at the tip of the shoot apical meristem. They also requested shoot apical cell and phyllid apical cell.

Non-seed vascular plants can also have an apical cell, that is, a single dividing cell at the apex of a root or shoot.

We already have the term apical cell (PO:0004000), which is an embryonic cell: "An embryonic plant cell that is the uppermost cell formed after the first division of the zygote." The embryonic apical cell can also be found in non-angiosperms. Suggest obsoleting PO:0004000 and replacing it with the new term embryonic apical cell for clarity, and using the name apical cell for the general class of apical cells described below.

Definition of apical cell from Esau: The single initial cell in an apical meristem of root or shoot. Characteristic of many lower vascular plants.

Definition of apical cell from Crum: A single cell at the tip of a stem, leaf, leaf or other structure that divides repeatedly to form new cells; also known as an apical intial.

Is apical cell more consistent with meristematic cell (A cell synthesizing protoplasm and producing new cells by division and with only a primary cell wall) or with initial cell (A meristematic cell that by division gives rise to two cells, one of which remains meristematic, while the other is added to the plant body)? Probably meristematic cell, because the apical cell can give rise to more than two cells (because it can have three or four cutting faces).

Proposed def. of apical cell (PO:0030007): A single meristematic cell at the tip of a shoot axis apex, leaf apex, root apex, or thallus apex.

Comment: Occurs in bryophytes and some pteridophytes, where apical growth results from division of a single meristematic cell located at the tip of an apical meristem or plant organ, rather than from a population of meristematic cells located at the tip of an apical meristem. May be tetrahedral shaped, with three (in shoots) or four (in roots) cutting faces, or wedge shaped with two cutting faces (in non-vascular leaves or thalli). An apical cell may be established upon germination of a spore or upon the first cell division of an embryo or later.

-note: the last sentence of the comment allows us to classify an embryonic apical cell as an apical cell.

Suggested ontology structure for the children of apical cell:

The dotted lines represent relations inferred by the reasoner.

Includes two ways of classifying: by structure and by gametophyte/sporophyte. Structural relations are asserted as is_a relations. The relations to gametophyte or sporophyte are inferred by the intersection_of terms.

New terms and definitions for apical cells

gametophytic apical cell (PO:0030014): An apical cell that is part of a whole plant in the gametophytic phase.

Comment: Occurs bryophytes and pteridophytes.

intersection_of: is_a apical cell, intersection_of: participates_in gametophytic phase

sporophytic apical cell (PO:0030015): An apical cell that is part of a whole plant in the sporophytic phase.

Comment: Occurs in pteridophytes and the sporophyte of bryophytes.

intersection_of: is_a apical cell, intersection_of: participates_in sporophytic phase

thallus apical cell (PO:0030025): An apical cell that is part of a thallus.

part_of thallus

root apical cell (PO:0030008): A sporophytic apical cell that is part of a root apical meristem.

comment: Occurs in the sporophytic phase of pteridophytes.

part_of root apical meristem

shoot apical cell (PO:0030009): An apical cell that is part of a shoot system.

comment: May occur in shoot axes or leaves of bryophytes or ferns.

part_of shoot system

gametophore apical cell (PO:0030019): A shoot apical cell that is part of a gametophore.

comment: Occurs in the non-vascular shoot system of the gametophyte of mosses and leafy liverworts.

intersection_of: is_a shoot apical cell, intersection_of: part_of gametophore

leaf apical cell (PO:0030011): A shoot apical cell that is part of a leaf apex.

comment: Occurs in the non-vascular leaves of bryophytes and the vascular leaves of some ferns. Only in plants where leaf growth is apical.

part_of leaf apex

non-vascular leaf apical cell (PO:0030013): A leaf apical cell that is part of a leaf apex of a non-vascular leaf.

comment: Occurs in the non-vascular leaves of bryophytes, which grow by division of a single, wedge-shaped apical cell with two cutting faces.

part_of non-vasucular leaf; synonym: phyllid apical cell

vascular leaf apical cell (PO:0030012): A leaf apical cell that is part of the leaf apex of a vascular leaf.

comment: Occurs in vascular leaves of some ferns in their sporophytic phase.

part_of vascular leaf

shoot axis apical cell (PO:0030010): An apical cell at the tip of a shoot apical meristem.

Comment: Divides to produces leaf initial cells (if leaves are present) and other stem or branch tissues.

part_of shoot apical meristem

gametophore axis apical cell (PO:0030023): A shoot axis apical cell at the tip of a gametophore axis.

Comment: Occurs at the tips of the stems and branches of bryophytes.

part_of gametophore axis; synonym: cauloid apical cell, non-vascular shoot axis apical cell

vascular shoot axis apical cell (PO:0030024): A shoot axis apical cell at the tip of a shoot apical meristem in a shoot system that has as part vascular tissue.

Comment: Occurs in some ferns in their sporophytic phase.

participates_in sporophytic phase; synonym: fern shoot axis apical cell

seta apical cell (PO:0030016): A shoot axis apical cell at the tip of a seta.

Comment: Ceases being an apical cell when the sporangium begins to develop.

part_of seta

Also:

embryonic apical cell (PO:0025284, replaces PO:0004000): An apical cell that is part of a plant embryo and is the uppermost cell formed after the first division of a zygote.

Comment: For plants that grow via an apical cell in their sporophytic phase, the embryonic apical cell may remain meristematic throughout the plant's life.

Upcoming meetings 2011:

2011 Semantic Web Workshop June 6th and 7th, Santa Fe, NM.

Hosted by Damian Gessler and the iPlant Collaborative, this two-day workshop will focus on biological applications for semantic web services.

-JE and JP will be attending

-JE has already worked with Damian to implement a SSWAP web service for PO terms, so further collaboration with him and iPlant will benefit the POC going forward.

For more Workshop details: Semantic web.

* ICBO 2011 Second International Conference on Biomedical Ontology July 26-30, 2011 Buffalo, New York

ICBO

LC is co-organizing the workshop "From Fins to Limbs to Leaves: Facilitating anatomy ontology interoperability" along with Melissa Haendel, Chris Mungall, Alan Ruttenberg, David Osumi-Sutherland.

Full-Day Workshops Schedule:

July 26 9am-6pm The Ontological Representation of Adverse Events: Working with Multiple Biomedical Ontologies

July 27 8.30am-4pm Facilitating Anatomy Ontology Interoperability

July 26 6.30pm-9pm Evening Workshop: Common Logic

July 27 4pm-8pm Evening Workshop: Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Consortium

- LC will attend and represent the PO. Invite other plant people?

*Plant Biology 2011, Aug 6-10th, Minneapolis, Minn

Plant Biology 2011

Early-bird registration ends May 13.

Gramene will be putting together a workshop again, focusing on pathways. PJ will present a PO poster.

TAIR (Kate Dreher) is organizing an Outreach Booth and we are invited to take part.

For inclusion on the program memory stick and in the program book, abstracts must be submitted by May 27.

* International Botanical Congress (IBC2011)

July 23rd-30th 2011, Melbourne, Australia

Registration is open Important dates

Symposium 'Bio-Ontologies for the Plant Sciences' under the Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics theme, wiil be held on Thursday, 27 July, from 13:30 to 15:30.

Dennis, Alejandra, Pankaj and Ramona are planning to attend.

See IBC 2011 Bio-Ontologies Symposium wiki page for more details