Hexose Transport in Growing Petunia Pollen Tubes and Characterization of a Pollen-Specific, Putative Monosaccharide Transporter

We investigated the molecular and physiological processes of sugar uptake and metabolism during pollen tube growth and plant fertilization. In vitro germination assays showed that petunia (Petunia hybrida) pollen can germinate and grow not only in medium containing sucrose (Suc) as a carbon source, but also in medium containing the monosaccharides glucose (Glc) or fructose (Fru). Furthermore, high-performance liquid chromatography analysis demonstrated a rapid and complete conversion of Suc into equimolar amounts of Glc and Fru when pollen was cultured in a medium containing 2% Suc. This indicates the presence of wall-bound invertase activity and uptake of sugars in the form of monosaccharides by the growing pollen tube. A cDNA designated pmt1 (petunia monosaccharide transporter 1), which is highly homologous to plant monosaccharide transporters, was isolated from petunia. Pmt1 belongs to a small gene family and is expressed specifically in the male gametophyte, but not in any other vegetative or floral tissues. Pmt1 is activated after the first pollen mitosis, and high levels of mRNA accumulate in mature and germinating pollen. A model describing the transport of sugars to the style, the conversion of Suc into Glc and Fru, and the active uptake by a monosaccharide transporter into the pollen tube is presented.The meiotic division of a pollen mother cell early in the development of the anther generates four immature male gametophytes. The gametophyte undergoes one mitotic division to generate one vegetative and one generative cell, after which the generative cell further divides to form two sperm cells (for review, see McCormick, 1993). The sperm cells are delivered to the female reproductive cells by unidirectional growth of the vegetative cell. This pollen tube grows through the stigma and style toward the ovules in the pistil. Much of the recent molecular research on the physiology of pollen tube growth focuses on specialized processes such as the incompatibility reaction, or on substances such as kinases, pectinases, polygalacturonases, and flavonols (Mascarenhas, 1993; McCormick, 1993). In contrast to this, one of the most striking phenomena of plant fertilization, the extreme speed and long-range capacity of pollen tube growth, has been poorly investigated on a molecular level. To enable the fast growth of the pollen tube, a rapid synthesis of wall material (Derksen et al., 1995) and a high energy supply is necessary. Therefore, a high level of sugar import is required (Schlüpmann et al., 1994).During maturation in the anther, pollen accumulates high levels of carbohydrates that represent the major part of the mature grain''s dry weight (Stanley and Linskens, 1974a; Pacini, 1996). After germination on a compatible stigma, the fast growth of the pollen tube is supported by the pistil. In the stylar fluids of petunia (Petunia hybrida) pistils the free sugars Suc, Glc, and Fru are available to the pollen tube (Konar and Linskens, 1966). After absorption by the pollen, sugars are utilized as an energy source and are converted to wall material as pectins, cellulose, and callose (Mascarenhas, 1993; Derksen et al., 1995). Constant de novo synthesis of cell wall material is essential because many of the carbohydrates used for wall synthesis are dissipated for participation in further pollen tube formation.The primary source of carbohydrates in the pistil and pollen lies in the photosynthesizing mature leaves, where assimilation takes place. After assimilation sugars are transported through the phloem to sink tissues such as the anther and stylar apoplast, mostly in the form of Suc (Bush, 1993). Nonetheless, it should be noted that the transmitting tract cells of the petunia pistils contain chloroplasts (B. Ylstra, personal observations) and might therefore also contribute directly to sugars in the stylar apoplast (Jansen et al., 1992). The final destination of the sugars, however, is the pollen, which requires translocation from the anther, stigma, and stylar apoplast over the pollen (tube) membrane.Several sugar transporters were identified in plants (Sauer and Tanner, 1989, 1993; Bush, 1993) and their genes were cloned and characterized by transgenic expression in yeast (Sauer and Tanner, 1993; Sauer and Stolz, 1994). The gene products were designated mono- and dissaccharide transmembrane symporters, and actively translocate sugars across plasma membranes driven by a proton-electrochemical potential (Stadler et al., 1995). The dissaccharide-symporter genes isolated are especially transcribed in mature leaves. The monosaccharide transporters reported so far are primarily transcribed in sink tissues such as young leaves and in storage and floral organs (Sauer and Tanner, 1993). In terms of sink-source relations pollen should be regarded as a strong sink, since it is not able to assimilate but requires high levels of starch and carbohydrates during maturation, germination, and growth.In vitro germination assays are helpful in the study of the growth requirements of pollen tubes. Different chemical constituents, pH, and viscosity could be related to the quality of pollen development and quantity of tube growth (Stanley and Linskens, 1974a, 1974b; Jahnen et al., 1989; Derksen et al., 1995). Suc was most commonly included in the in vitro germination medium as a carbon source. However, sugar import into germinating and growing pollen has only been studied to a limited extent in lily (Deshusses et al., 1981). We present physiological and biochemical experiments that enable us to describe the uptake of carbohydrates by pollen tubes in molecular terms.     

Interference of the Histone Deacetylase Inhibits Pollen Germination and Pollen Tube Growth in Picea wilsonii Mast

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) is a crucial component in the regulation of gene expression in various cellular processes in animal and plant cells. HDAC has been reported to play a role in embryogenesis. However, the effect of HDAC on androgamete development remains unclear, especially in gymnosperms. In this study, we used the HDAC inhibitors trichostatin A (TSA) and sodium butyrate (NaB) to examine the role of HDAC in Picea wilsonii pollen germination and pollen tube elongation. Measurements of the tip-focused Ca²⁺ gradient revealed that TSA and NaB influenced this gradient. Immunofluorescence showed that actin filaments were disrupted into disorganized fragments. As a result, the vesicle trafficking was disturbed, as determined by FM4-64 labeling. Moreover, the distribution of pectins and callose in cell walls was significantly altered in response to TSA and NaB. Our results suggest that HDAC affects pollen germination and polarized pollen tube growth in Picea wilsonii by affecting the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration gradient, actin organization patterns, vesicle trafficking, as well as the deposition and configuration of cell wall components.     

钙调素对花粉萌发和花粉管生长的效应

牛脑和玉米胚ＣａＭ能显著促进花粉萌发和花粉管生长（图１）,而ＣａＭ抑制剂ＴＦＰ、ＣＰＺ及另外两个专一性更强的抑制剂Ｃｏｍｐｏｕｎｄ４８／８０和Ｗ７均严重抑制甚至阻止花粉的萌发（图２,３）。用对ＣａＭ亲和性较低的Ｗ７同系物Ｗ５,在与Ｗ７同样浓度下,对花粉萌发和花粉管生长无明显影响。此外,Ｗ７对花粉萌发和花粉管生长的抑制效应可被外源ＣａＭ所消除（图４）。在花粉萌发过程中,其内源ＣａＭ含量显著上升,在花粉萌发率接近最大值时,花粉ＣａＭ含量达最高水平（图５）。上述结果表明ＣａＭ对花粉萌发和花粉管生长的调控起重要作用。     

花粉萌发和花粉管生长发育的信号转导

显花植物授粉是一个复杂的发育过程。从花粉落在柱头上开始,经过粘附、识别、水合、萌发,花粉管在花柱内生长,直至到达子房发生双受精作用,整个过程发生在雌、雄两性细胞和组织之间,受到严格的遗传控制和细胞控制。一方面雌雄配子的基因型决定两者是否亲和,另一方面雌雄两性细胞间发生复杂的相互作用,细胞外信号分子是这些过程的主要调控因子。当花粉或花粉管细胞感知外部信号后,必然通过信号转导级联反应,达到控制萌发、调整花粉管生长方向等目的。这一系列动力学的细胞事件,关系到受精的成败。因此研究此过程中的信号及其转换机…     

不同培养条件对黄连木花粉萌发和花粉管生长的影响

以黄连木花粉为试材,采用离体培养法研究了培养基组分和植物生长调节物质对黄连木花粉萌发和花粉管生长的影响.结果表明:花粉萌发和花粉管生长的适宜蔗糖浓度为15%,适宜培养温度为25℃;该培养条件下,花粉萌发率和花粉管长度分别达最大值63.3%和412.1 μm.硼酸、赤霉素(GA3)和吲哚乙酸(IAA)在一定浓度范围内,可以促进黄连木花粉萌发和花粉管生长,浓度过高时起抑制作用;最适宜黄连木花粉萌发和花粉管生长的硼酸浓度、赤霉素(GA3)和吲哚乙酸(IAA)浓度分别为100、50和15 mg/L.     

桃花粉离体萌发和花粉管生长特性研究

采用花粉离体萌发法研究不同培养基组分和培养条件对桃花粉萌发和花粉管生长的影响,同时对不同贮藏温度下的桃花粉寿命进行研究.结果表明:固体培养基与液体培养基对桃的花粉萌发率和花粉管长度影响差异不显著;10%蔗糖是大多数桃品种花粉的最适萌发条件;硼能提高桃花粉的萌发率,但对花粉管的生长没有促进作用;桃花粉在20℃～25℃的培养温度下萌发率最高,花粉管最长;桃花粉萌发率和花粉管长度在培养前3 h内上升最快,3～5 h上升趋势减弱,5 h后基本停止;随着贮藏温度的升高和贮藏时间的延长,花粉生活力呈降低的趋势.     

果梅花粉离体萌发及花粉管生长特性研究

研究了果梅(Prunus mumeSieb.1et Zucc.)花粉在不同培养基组分、花粉不同培养密度和不同温度及培养时间的离体萌发和花粉管生长特性.结果表明:细叶青花粉萌发及花粉管生长最适宜的液体培养基为30mmol/L MES(pH 6.5)缓冲液中含20%蔗糖,0.01%硼酸,20%PEG-4000,0.03?(NO3)2?4H2O,0.02%Mg-SO4?7H2O;萌发率达45.03%,花粉管长度达597.2μm.适宜于果梅花粉萌发和花粉管生长的花粉粒密度为20~80粒/μL.培养温度过高或过低都不利于果梅花粉的萌发和生长,25℃时花粉萌发和花粉管生长最好.细叶青"、月世界"、莺宿"3个品种的平均萌发率为48.6%,平均花粉管长度为762.3μm.果梅花粉在不同培养温度下,萌发及生长不同,在25℃条件下花粉管生长速度最快,集中在0~12 h内,3个品种花粉管平均生长速度为58.5μm/h.     

花柱和花粉胞外钙调素对花粉萌发和花粉管伸长的影响

以烟草为材料,通过半体内实验,就花柱和花粉胞外钙调素对花粉萌发和花粉管伸长的影响进行了观察。发现用EGTA及钙调素抗血清处理柱头或花粉均可抑制花粉在柱头上的萌发;向花柱引导组织中显微注射纯化钙调素可促进花粉管束伸长,而注射钙调素抗血清可抑制花粉管束伸长;同时证实玉米花柱和花粉细胞壁中均存在钙调素及钙调素结合蛋白,而且花粉和花柱细胞壁中钙调素结合蛋白的种类有差异。结果表明存在于花粉和花柱细胞外的钙调素对花粉萌发和花粉管伸长均有促进作用。     

Ca2+、pH在花粉及萌发花粉管生长中的作用研究进展

花粉正常萌发并生长是精细胞顺利到达胚囊并实现受精作用的前提,因而是高等植物有性生殖的一个关键环节。花粉管生长涉及一系列过程,而花粉(或花粉管)内外的Ca^2 和pH的变化与花粉萌发、花粉管生长有着密切的关系。比较详细地论述了Ca^2 和pH在花粉萌发、花粉管生长过程中的分布特点、生理功能及分子机制。     

Effect of Growth Regulators and Light on Pollen Germination and Pollen Tube Growth in Pinus roxburghii Sarg

Pine (Pinus roxburghii) pollen grown in suspension cultureswas used to study the effects of growth regulators and lightconditions on germination and pollen tube growth. Indol-3-ylacetic acid, gibberellic acid, ethylene, abscisic acid and cyclicAMP (cAMP) at low concentrations (1–10 mg 1^–1) promotedgermination and tube growth. Addition of 1 and 10 mg 1^–1cAMP to any of the growth regulators had a promotory effect.Pollen tube growth decreased in white light as compared to thedark, and was increased in red light. Far-red light counteractedthe effect of red light. The effect of growth regulators incausing the enhanced tube growth appears to be manifested throughsubstances such as cAMP, and phytochrome seems to be involved. Pinus roxburghii, pine, pollen germination, pollen tube growth, growth regulators, cyclic AMP, phytochrome     

钙和硼对蓝猪耳花粉萌发及花粉管生长的影响

研究了钙(Ca^2 )和硼(H3BO3)对蓝猪耳花粉萌发和花粉管生长的影响。结果表明：(1)在一定范围内Ca^2 几乎不影响花粉萌发频率,而主要影响花粉萌发速度和花粉管生长速度;低Ca^2 不利于花粉管生长,而高Ca^2 抑制花粉萌发速度和花粉管生长;在稍高于最适Ca^2 浓度的条件下,花粉管生长早期呈现波浪形。(2)硼明显影响花粉萌发频率及花粉管形态;花粉管生长必需硼,但不同浓度的硼对花粉管生长速度影响不明显;在高浓度硼条件下,较长时间内花粉管均呈现出波浪形。(3)Cooled-CCD动态跟踪观察进一步证实Ca^2 影响花粉管生长速度,而硼则不明显。     

中国樱桃与甜樱桃花粉原位萌发及花粉管生长的差异

以‘垂丝’、‘东塘’(中国樱桃)和‘莫利’、‘拉宾斯’(甜樱桃)为试材,分别于自花、异花授粉后不同时间切取花柱,用FAA固定,荧光染色后压片观察。结果显示,中国樱桃和甜樱桃的自花、异花花粉均能在柱头萌发,且其花粉管在花柱中表现为“极快—慢—快—稳定”的动态变化过程。但甜樱桃花粉萌发率高于中国樱桃,异花高于自花。中国樱桃自花、异花都有花粉管到达花柱基部;甜樱桃‘莫利’ב拉宾斯’和‘拉宾斯’自交有花粉管到达花柱基部,而‘莫利’自交的花粉管在花柱中上部已停止生长。结果表明,中国樱桃表现自交亲和性,而甜樱桃除人工诱变导致自交亲和的‘拉宾斯’等品种外,表现典型的植物配子体自交不亲和性。     

GA_3对含笑花粉萌发及花粉管生长的影响

以含笑（Michelia figo）花粉为试材,采用花粉离体培养法,研究GA3对含笑花粉萌发和花粉管生长的影响。结果表明,GA3可以促进含笑花粉提早萌发,20～200 mg/L GA3对含笑花粉萌发和花粉管生长起促进作用,浓度超过200 mg/L花粉萌发和花粉管生长均受到抑制。以GA3200 mg/L的促进作用最好。     

Effects of Nifedipine on Pollen Germination,Pollen Tube Growth and Division of Generative Nucleus in Nicotiana tabacum

The deals with the effects of nifedipine (Nif), a Ca2+ channel blocker of rather high specificity, on pollen germination, pollen tube growth and division of generative nucleus (GN) in experimentlly germinated pollen tubes of Nicotiana tabacurn L. Pollen germination was inhibited by the addition of 10-4 mol/L Nif whereas no significant inhibition by 10-7~10-5 mol/L Nif was observed. The effects of Nif on pollen tube growth were related to its concentration and duration of treatment. At the earlier stage, tube growth was promoted at the lower concentrations (10-7~10-5 mol/L), but was significantly inhibited at a concentration of 10 4 mol/L Nif. With increasing time of culture, even the lower concentrations also became harmful; the stronger the concentration, the earlier the transition from promotion to inhibition. Generally, inhibition of tube growth occurred within 24 hours of culture with different extent in various concentrations. Moreover, higher concentrations also tended to disturb tube morphology and cytoplasmic streaming. Nif was observed to perturb GN division at various concentrations, either blocked it completely at 10-4 mol/L, or only delayed it at 10-7~10-5 mol/L. The dynamics of membrane-associated calcium in pollen tubes was tested with chlorotetracycline (CTC). With increasing time of culture and escalating Nif concentration, CTC fluorescence weakened gradually, indicating that the physiological effects of Nif is mediated by its in hibition on Ca2+ channel activities.     

MALE GAMETOPHYTE DEFECTIVE 2, Encoding a Sialyltransferase-like Protein, is Required for Normal Pollen Germination and Pollen Tube Growth in Arabidopsis

Sialyltransferases (SiaTs) exist widely in vertebrates and play important roles in a variety of biological processes. In plants, several genes have also been identified to encode the proteins that share homology with the vertebrate SiaTs. However, very little is known about their functions in plants. Here we report the identification and characterization of a novel Arabidopsis gene, MALE GAMETOPHYTE DEFECTIVE 2 [MGP2) that encodes a sialyltransferase-like protein. MGP2 was expressed in all tissues including pollen grains and pollen tubes. The MGP2 protein was targeted to Golgi apparatus. Knockout of MGP2 significantly inhibited the pollen germination and retarded pollen tube growth in vitro and in vivo, but did not affect female gametophytic functions. These results suggest that the sialyltransferase-like protein MGP2 is important for normal pollen germination and pollen tube growth, giving a novel insight into the biological roles of the sialyltransferase-like proteins in plants.     

梨远缘花粉原位萌发及生长特性

应用荧光标记方法对梨远缘花粉在‘丰水’和‘噢嗄二十世纪’柱头上萌发及花粉管生长特性进行观察,结果表明:(1)梨远缘花粉均能在柱头上萌发,但其萌发率不同,授粉后24 h,在‘丰水’柱头上‘红叶桃’花粉萌发率最高,达62.8%,而‘盖县大李’花粉萌发率仅为12.0%,各种远缘花粉在‘丰水’柱头萌发率均高于‘噢嗄二十世纪’柱头。(2)各种远缘花粉管在梨柱头或花柱内生长情况也有差异,‘红叶桃’等核果类花粉管在梨柱头上均表现为扭曲、盘绕等现象,不能穿过柱头;‘红星’和‘红富士’花粉管虽然有少量穿过柱头,但不能进一步在花柱内生长,表现为扭曲变形、先端膨大等不亲和性现象。因此,梨与远缘果树杂交不亲和在柱头上就已发生,这与梨自交不亲和反应发生在花柱内的现象不同。     

Screening for High-Temperature Tolerant Cotton Cultivars by Testing In Vitro Pollen Germination, Pollen Tube Growth and Boll Retention

With radical global climate change and global warming, high temperature stress has become one of major factors exerting a major influence on crop production. In the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)-growing areas of China, especially in the Yangtze River valley, unexpected periodic episodes of extreme heat stress usually occur in July and August, the peak time of cotton flowering and boll loading, resulting in lower boll set and lint yield. Breeding programs for screening high temperature-tolerant cotton germplasm and cultivars are urgent in order to stabilize yield in the current and future warmer weather conditions. In the present study, 14 cotton cultivars were quantified for in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth in response to temperatures ranging from 10 to 50 ℃ at 5 ℃ intervals. Different cotton genotypes varied in their in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube length responses to the different temperatures. Maximum pollen germination and pollen tube length ranged from 25.2% to 56.2% and from 414 to 682 μm, respectively.The average cardinal temperatures (Tmin, Topt, and Tmax) also varied among the 14 cultivars and were 11.8,27.3, and 42.7 ℃ for pollen germination and 11.8, 27.8, and 44.1 ℃ for maximum pollen tube length. Variations in boll retention and boll numbers per plant in field experiments were found for the 14 cotton cultivars and the boll retention and boll retained per plant on 20 August varied considerably in different years according to weather conditions. Boll retention on 20 August was highly correlated with maximum pollen germination (R2=0.84) and pollen tube length (R2=0.64). A screening method based on principle component analysis of the combination of pollen characteristics in an in vitro experiment and boll retention testing in the field environment was used in the present study and, as a result, the 14 cotton cultivars could be classified as tolerant, moderately tolerant, moderately susceptible and susceptible to high temperature.     

OsAPT1 a Pollen Preferentially Expressed Gene Is Essential for Pollen Tube Germination and Elongation in Rice

Plant Molecular Biology Reporter - Pollen tube germination and elongation are important processes for double fertilization in flowering plants. However, little is known about the regulatory...     

Steroid Hormones Stimulate Germination and Tube Growth of in Vitro Matured Tobacco Pollen

A study of the effects of different steroids on germination and tube growth of tobacco pollen (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Petit Havana SR1) matured in vitro is presented. Application of the mammalian steroid sex hormones (testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol) resulted in a stimulation of pollen germination and tube elongation. The presence of both steroids and flavonols in the germination medium strongly enhanced the growth of tobacco male gametophytes.