The <i>eat1-4</i> mutation affects meiotic chromosome condensation non-cell-autonomously.

<p><b>(<i>A</i>)</b> Cross sections of anthers at late meiosis (ST.4). Tapetum and PMC formation of the <i>eat1-4</i> mutant was almost comparable to that of the wild-type (WT). Bars, 20 μm. <b>(<i>B</i>)</b> Accumulation (ST.2) and degeneration (ST.3) of β-1,4 glucan (green) at tapetal-cell and PMC walls. Nuclei were counterstained with propidium iodide (magenta). Bars, 20 μm. <b>(<i>C</i>)</b> Typical PMCs observed in respective meiotic stages in wild-type (top) and <i>eat1-4</i> anthers (bottom). Meiotic chromosomes, stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), were decondensed frequently in the <i>eat1-4</i> PMCs. An arrow indicates lagging chromosomes. Bars, 20 μm.