Development and Pollination Regulated Accumulation and Glycosylation of a Stylar Transmitting Tissue-Specific Proline-Rich Protein

The extracellular matrix of stylar transmitting tissues of many angiosperms is enriched in secretory materials that are believed to be important for interactions with pollen tubes. We have previously characterized two related cDNAs (TTS-1 and TTS-2) for stylar transmitting tissue-specific proline-rich proteins (TTS proteins) from Nicotiana tabacum. We show here that TTS proteins are highly glycosylated proteins with apparent molecular masses ranging between 50 and 100 kD. Results from chemical and enzymatic deglycosylation suggest that TTS proteins have N-linked glycosyl groups, and the extensive glycosylation most probably has resulted from modifications at the proline residues. TTS proteins are localized to the intercellular regions between neighboring transmitting tissue cells, the space in which pollen tubes elongate as they migrate from the stigma toward the ovary. TTS mRNA and protein levels are regulated during pistil development and by pollination. The levels of TTS mRNAs and proteins increase with flower development and reach the maximal levels as flowers approach anthesis. These maximal levels are maintained in the styles for at least 3 to 4 days after pollination, during which time pollen tubes elongate and reach the ovary. Spatially, TTS mRNAs and proteins accumulate first in the stigmatic end of young styles, and their levels progressively increase toward the basal end as pistils mature. Pollination stimulates the levels of TTS mRNAs and proteins in hand-pollinated young styles, which normally accumulate relatively low levels of these TTS gene products. Pollination also qualitatively affects TTS mRNAs and proteins. In pollinated styles, TTS mRNAs are shorter than those in unpollinated styles and underglycosylated TTS protein species begin to accumulate. The elaborate regulatory mechanisms governing TTS mRNAs and proteins during development and by pollination strongly suggest that these proteins may play a functional role in the process of pollination.     

Pistil Structure and Pollen Tube Pathways in Leptospermum myrsinoides and L. continentale (Myrtaceae)

Pistil structure and pollen tube growth were investigated inLeptospermum myrsinoides and L. continentale (Myrtaceae). BothL. myrsinoides and L. continentale pistils consist of an ovarywith five locules, a style and a five-lobed dry, papillate stigma.A centrally located stigmatic cleft is present but extends onlyto the base of the stigma. Pollen germinates and grows intercellularlythrough the stigma into the central transmitting tissue of thestyle. Pollen tubes do not grow down the stigmatic cleft. Atthe base of the style the transmitting tissue separates intofive, each tract leading through the placenta to one of thefive locules. The pollen tubes continue to grow intercellularlythrough these five tracts entering the locules between the lobesof the placenta. Pollen tubes are smooth-walled and straightwhilst in the transmitting tissue of the style but produce shortlateral branches at regular intervals when in the locules. Branchingcontinues until pollen tubes enter ovules. It is suggested thatthe observed branching in the locules is a result of pollentubes following a chemotropic or thigmotropic pathway to theovules. This behaviour was consistent in all pistils examinedand no difference was observed in the behaviour of self- orcross-pollen tubes in the style or ovary.Copyright 1994, 1999Academic Press Leptospermum myrsinoides Schldl., Leptospermum continentale J. Thompson, pistil structure, pollen tube pathway, pollen tube branching     

Pistil anatomy and pollen tube development in Polygala vayredae Costa (Polygalaceae)

Low seed ovule ratios have been observed in natural populations of Polygala vayredae Costa, a narrowly endemic species from the oriental pre-Pyrenees. To evaluate physical and nutritional constraints and pollen tube attrition in this endemic species, stigma and style anatomy, as well as pollen tube development along the pistil were investigated using light and fluorescence microscopy. The structural morphology of the stigmatic region was also examined with scanning electron microscopy. Pollen grains that reached the stigmatic papillae came into contact with a lipid-rich exudate and germinated easily. Although a large number of pollen grains reach the stigmatic papillae, few pollen tubes were able to grow into the style towards the ovary. The style was hollow, with the stylar channel beginning a few cells below the stigmatic papillae. Initially, the stylar channel area was small compared to other levels of the style, and was surrounded by lipid-rich, highly metabolic active cells. Furthermore, lipid-rich mucilage was detected inside the stylar channel. At subsequent style levels towards the ovary, no major reserves were detected histochemically. The reduced intercellular spaces below the stigmatic papillae and the reduced area of the stylar channel at its commencement are suggested to physically constrain the number of pollen tubes that can develop. In subsequent levels of the style, the stylar channel could physically support a larger number of pollen tubes, but the lack of nutritional reserves cannot be disregarded as a cause of pollen tube attrition. Finally, the number of pollen tubes entering the ovary was greater than the number of ovules, suggesting that interactions occurring at this level play a major role in the final reproductive outcome in this species.     

Pollen tube growth and the pollen‐tube pathway of Nymphaea odorata (Nymphaeaceae)

An important aspect of the evolution of carpel closure, or angiospermy, is the relationship between pollen tube growth patterns and internalization of the pollen‐tube pathway. True carpel closure, involving postgenital fusion of inner carpel margins, is inferred to have arisen once within the ancient order Nymphaeales, in the common ancestor of Nymphaeaceae. We studied pollen tube development, from pollination to fertilization, in a natural population of Nymphaea odorata, using hand pollinations and timed flower collections. Pollen germinates in stigmatic secretions within 15 min and pollen tubes enter subdermal transmitting tissue within an hour, following wide intercellular spaces towards the zone of postgenital fusion. At the zone of fusion they turn downwards to grow in narrow spaces between interlocked cells and then wander freely to ovules within ovarian secretions. The pollen‐tube pathway is 2–6 mm long and upper ovules are first penetrated 2.5 h after pollination. Pollen tubes grow at rates of approximately 1 mm/h whether in stigmatic fluid, transmitting tissues or ovarian secretions. Pollen‐tube pathways are structurally diverse across Nymphaeales, yet their pollen tubes have similar morphologies and rapid growth rates. This pattern suggests pollen tube growth innovations preceded and were essential for the evolution of complete carpel closure. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 162 , 581–593.     

Pollination induces mRNA poly(A) tail-shortening and cell deterioration in flower transmitting tissue

Pollination induces many physiological responses in the flower, including deterioration and death in specific pistil cell types. It is shown here that within the style of tobacco, pollination-induced cell deterioration was restricted to the transmitting tissue while the surrounding cortical tissue was not affected. It was distinct from general senescence since exogenously applying the senescence-inducing hormone ethylene, or its precursor aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), to the flower or the pistil induced overall deterioration in the entire flower. Furthermore, both pollen tube growth and ethylene action were needed for the entire spectrum of cellular changes associated with this pollination-induced transmitting tissue deterioration process. It is also shown that pollination-induced mRNA poly(A) tail-shortening for at least three major classes of transmitting tissue-specific mRNAs. As is commonly observed for poly(A) tail-shortened mRNAs, the levels of two of these three mRNA classes decline after pollination. On the other hand, the third class of mRNAs, transmitting tissue-specific (TTs) mRNAs, was maintained at a very high level subsequent to pollination, even after substantial poly(A)-tail shortening. TTS mRNAs encode a pollen tube growth-promoting and -attracting protein needed for optimal in vivo pollen tube growth. The specific preservation of TTS mRNAs in the deteriorating transmitting tissue cells suggests that these cells can distinguish molecules needed in the pollinated styles from those that are dispensable, and protect them from degradation. It is suggested that the pollination-induced mRNA poly(A) tail-shortening and cell death are programmed processes suited to the post-pollination transmitting tissue environment. Results showing that ACC is a candidate signal molecule for the pollination-induced mRNA-shortening which is accentuated by ethylene and mediated via a protein phosphorylation-dependent signal transduction pathway are also presented.     

Structure and development of the stigma, style and ovary of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw., post-anthesis, pre- and post-pollination

The stigma of Caesalpinia pulcherrima is crateriform. The crater continues as a slit-like canal through the style and into the ovary. Both crater and canal are lined by several layers of fusiform and thin-walled cells which are continuous in two narrow regions in the ovary. Postanthesis and before pollination, the middle lamella of cells lining the stigmatic crater and stylar transmitting tissue undergoes dissolution. This occurs in a progression down the style with cells separating partially or wholly from neighbours. Dissolution is initiated at intercellular junctions where wall fibrils loosen and variously-sized and -shaped holes appear. Cytoplasmic changes include increased dictyosome activity, increased rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum at the periphery of cells and accumulation of electron opaque deposits at the plasma membrane. The crater fills with stigmatic fluid and the diameter of the stylar canal increases. Pollen germinates in the secretion-filled crater, and pollen tubes grow down the style between the cells of the transmitting tissue but do not enter the canal. They emerge at the entrance to the ovary cavity and grow over one or two narrow strips of ovarian transmitting tissue cells which are present throughout the length of the ovary close to the ovules. This ensures that tubes grow in close proximity to the micropyles.     

Distribution of calcium in the stigma and style of tobacco during pollen germination and tube elongation

Potassium antimonate was used to locate loosely bound calcium in the stigma and style of tobacco. The tobacco stigma is wet and covered by a thick layer of glycoprotein exudate at anthesis. The exudate contains abundant vesicles, which are densely labeled with calcium precipitates. When pollen grains arrive at the stigma, become hydrated, and as the pollen swells, Ca²⁺ precipitates accumulate at the aperture. Calcium precipitates that accumulate in pollen cytoplasm are initially concentrated within small vacuoles, but as germination proceeds these appear to fuse, forming prominent, densely labeled vesicles that preferentially accumulate near the proximal region of the growing tube. Although the stigma has abundant particles, few calcium precipitates are observed in the transmitting tissue from anthesis to 11 h after pollination. However, at 22 h after pollination, accumulation of calcium increases distally from the stigmatic interface with the transmitting tissue through the length of the style to the ovary. An examination of flowering plants with differing floral biology will be needed to understand the role of loosely bound calcium accumulation and its relationship to tissue-level changes in calcium uptake, maintenance of other calcium pools, including [Ca²⁺]_cyt, and in pollen and style maturation during the progamic phase.     

The transmitting tract in Trimezia fosteriana (Iridaceae). III. Pollen tube growth in the stigma, style and ovary

Trimezia fosteriana is a self-incompatible plant with an open style. The stigma was found to be receptive for approx. three hours. Pollen tube growth in the entire transmitting tract was followed with LM, SEM and TEM. The cuticle that covers the mature papillae is continuous but in the rest of the transmitting tissue it is thin and ruptured. The pollen tubes grow in a mucilage mixed with cuticle remnants. In the style, however, larger parts of a cuticle film remains which gives the impression that pollen tube growth occurs under a cuticle. The secretion contains proteins and carbohydrates including pectic substances. The pollen tube growth rates were estimated to 2 mm/hour in the stigma, 1–2 mm/hour in the style and 0.5 mm/hour in the ovary.     

Reproductive significance of indirect pollen-tube growth in Dalechampia (Euphorbiaceae)

Most species of Dalechampia have expanded stigmatic surfaces that extend from the stylar tip part way down the sides of the elongated styles. Pollen grains landing at the stylar tip grow tubes directly down the style to the ovary. Pollen grains landing on the lateral stigmatic surfaces, however, exhibit indirect pollen-tube growth: the tubes grow first to the stylar tip, bend 180°, and then grow to the ovary. Indirect pollen-tube growth appears to be reproductively important: more than half the arriving pollen lands on the lateral stigmatic surfaces, and virtually all of these grains produce tubes that grow indirectly to the ovary; pollen on the lateral surface fertilizes seeds about as effectively as pollen at the tip (with direct tube growth). Indirect pollen-tube growth may be the result of a correlated response to selection for expanded stigmatic surfaces in Dalechampia, or it may be an adaptation to increase the intensity of pollen competition.     

早发生胚水稻小孢子发生及花粉的萌发生长

实验结果表明,早发生胚水稻（PDER）品系小孢子的发生发育与常规水稻品种相同,常规I-KI镜检显示其成熟花粉育性达87．4％．开花后,少量花粉在柱头上能正常萌发,并以短管形式进入柱头．大部分花粉在柱头上发生了异常行为：不萌发花粉管,但排放出大量内容物;花粉管细小或畸形;在枝头内或柱头外花粉管前端破裂;花粉管在柱头上绕行不进入柱头;花粉管在柱头内逆行生长;花粉管进入柱头后又穿出柱头;花粉管壁上粘有颗粒或被有一层膜等．文中就PDER的来源讨论了这些现象,并提出“萌败”这一新概念．     

Transmitting tissue ECM distribution and composition, and pollen germinability in Sarcandra glabra and Chloranthus japonicus (Chloranthaceae)

BACKGROUND: and Aims Free-flowing surface exudates at the stigmatic (wet versus dry stigma) and adaxial epidermis at the site of angiospermy in carpels of Chloranthaceous species have been proposed to comprise a continuous extracellular matrix (ECM) operating in pollen tube transmission to the ovary. The aim of this research was to establish the spatial distribution and histo/immunochemical composition of the ECM involved in pollen tube growth in Sarcandra glabra and Chloranthus japonicus (Chloranthaceae). METHODS: Following confirmation of the pollen tube pathway, the histo/immunochemical make-up of the ECM was determined with histochemistry on fresh tissue to detect cuticle, esterase, proteins, pectins, and lipids and immunolocalization at the level of the TEM on sections from cryofixed/freeze-substituted tissue to detect molecules recognized by antibodies to homogalacturonans (JIM7, 5), arabinogalactan-proteins (JIM13) and cysteine-rich adhesion (SCA). KEY RESULTS: Pollen germinability is low in both species. When grains germinate, they do so on an ECM comprised of an esterase-positive cuticle proper (dry versus wet stigma). Pollen tubes do not track the surface ECM of stigma or adaxial epidermal cells at the site of angiospermy. Instead, tubes grow between stigmatic cells and subsequently along the inner tangential walls of the stigmatic and adaxial carpel cells at the site of angiospermy. Pollen tubes enter the ovary locule at the base of the funiculus. The stigmatic ECM is distinct by virtue of the presence of anti-JIM5 aggregates, lipids, and a protein recognized by anti-SCA. CONCLUSIONS: The Chloranthaceae joins a growing number of basal angiosperm taxa whereby pollen tubes germinate on a dry versus wet stigma to subsequently grow intercellularly en route to the ovary thereby challenging traditional views that the archetype pollen tube pathway was composed of the surface of stigma and adaxial epidermal cells covered with a free-flowing exudate.     

DYNAMICS OF POLLEN TUBE GROWTH IN THE WILD RADISH RAPHANUS RAPHANISTRUM (BRASSICACEAE). II. MORPHOLOGY,CYTOCHEMISTRY AND ULTRASTRUCTURE OF TRANSMITTING TISSUES,AND PATH OF POLLEN TUBE GROWTH

The relative importance of prezygotic mechanisms of gametophytic competition and selection are often unclear due to an absence of observations on the gynoecium and pollen tube growth in vivo. We used LM, SEM, and TEM to study the structure of the gynoecium and the path of pollen tube growth in Raphanus raphanistrum, a sporophytically self-incompatible annual. Wild radish has a papillate stigma and a solid style. A septum, which is characteristic of cruciferous gynoecia, is present in the ovary. After germination on the stigma, pollen tubes grow in the secretion of the transmitting tract of the style. The stylar secretion stains positive for acidic polysaccharides and insoluble carbohydrates, and negative for lipids and protein. In the ovary, the transmitting tissue is contained inside the septum. The secretion in the ovary stains positive only for acidic polysaccharides. Pollen tubes travel inside the septum as they enter the ovary and must exit to the surface of this tissue before ovule fertilization can occur. Pollen tube growth on the septum tracks the intercellular junctions of the septum epidermis where the secretion leaks out through a torn cuticle. Tubes must grow across the obturator before reaching the micropyle of an ovule. The temporal pattern with which tubes growing into the ovary exit the septum can contribute to the previously observed nonrandom patterns of fertilization (Hill and Lord, 1986).     

INDUCED POLLEN TUBE DIRECTIONALITY

Pollen grains placed within longitudinal cuts in styles germinate and produce pollen tubes which grow equally well towards the stigma or the ovary. If there are simultaneous stigmatic pollinations, the growth of the intrastylar pollen tubes toward the stigma is significantly impeded. This observation indicates the presence of an influence which may or may not be related to pollen tube tropism, one which is inducible rather than constitutive.     

Structure and Development of Stigmatic Branches and Style and Their Relation to Pollen Tube Growth in Wheat

The style of wheat divides into 2 branches, separated from its base and covered with a large number of slender stigmatic branches. The stigma is of dry type. The style is solid. There is no transmitting tissue differentiated in the style. Young stylar cells appear polygonal in transverse sections and elongated in longitudinal sections with an increase in length of the cells from periphery towards center. In transverse sections, mature stylar cells look extremely irregular. They are contorted and mosaicked with one another. During their development, stylar cells elongated vigorously with intrusive growth. The wall of stylar cells is thin, except at the corners where cells connect, that slight thickening of the cell wall occurs. Stylar cells start vacuolation at the earlier stages and gradually become highly vacuolated, but still remain rich in organelles, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, dictyosomes and chloroplasts, the amount of which varied with the development stages of the style. Stigmatic branches are differentiated from the stylar epidermal cells, composed of 4 files of cells which link end to end with one another. Not long before anthesis, wall material in the intercellular corners becomes loose and porous. After pollination, pollen tubes grow along the intercellular spaces among the 4 files of cells in the stigmatic branches and then enter the style. Pollen tubes may pass through any intercellular corner throughout the 2 branches of the style, except for the lateral-outer portion which is composed of larger stylar cells. Eventually, pollen tubes enter the ovary.     

Structural analysis of stigma development in relation with pollen–stigma interaction in sunflower

Structural analysis of stigma development in sunflower highlights the secretory role of papillae due to its semi-dry nature. Production of lipid-rich secretions is initiated at the staminate stage of the flowers in stigma development and increases at the receptive stage, coinciding with an extensive development of elaioplasts and endoplasmic reticulum network in the basal region of the papillae. Transfer cells, earlier identified only in the wet type of stigma, are also present in the transmitting tissue of the sunflower stigma. Attainment of physiological maturity by the stigmatic tissue, accompanying development from bud to pistillate stage, appears to affect the initial steps of pollen–stigma interaction. The nature of self-incompatibility in Helianthus has also been investigated in relation with pollen adhesion, hydration and germination. Pollen adhesion to the stigma is a rapid process in sunflower and stigma papillae exhibit greater affinity for pollen during cross pollination as compared to self-pollination. Components of the pollen coat and the pellicle on the surface of stigmatic papillae are critical for the initial phase of pollen–stigma interaction (adhesion and hydration). The lipidic components of pollen coat and the proteinaceous and lipidic components from the surface of the papillae coalesce during adhesion, leading to the movement of water from stigma to the pollen, thereby causing pollen hydration and its subsequent germination. Pollen germination (both in self-and cross-pollen) on the stigma surface and the growth of the pollen tube characterize the flexibility of self-incompatibility in sunflower. Compatible pollen grains germinate and the pollen tube penetrates the stigma surface to enter the nutrient-rich transmitting tissue. The pollen tube from incompatible pollen germination, however, fails to penetrate the stigmatic tissue and it grows parallel to the papillae. Present findings provide new insights into structural and functional relationships during stigma development and pollen–stigma interaction.     

Pistil Receptivity and Pollen Tube Growth in Relation to the Breeding System of Eucalyptus woodwardii (Symphyomyrtus: Myrtaceae)

Pistil structure, stigma receptivity and pollen tube growthwere investigated in relation to seed set of Eucalyptus woodwardii.Self-pollination resulted in reduced capsule retention and seeddevelopment as compared with cross-pollination. The pistil consistedof an ovary with five locules, a long style with a canal extendingfor two-thirds of its length, and a papillate stigma. Therewas no change in style length with time after anthesis, butboth stigma secretion and ability to support pollen germinationand tube growth increased to reach a peak at 7 d. Pollen germinatedon the stigma surface and in the stylar canal, but most tubegrowth occurred intercellularly in the transmitting tissue surroundingthe canal. At the base of the style the pollen tubes split intofive groups following the transmitting tissue strands to theovary. Each group grew through a septum dividing two loculesand entered the placenta. The tubes then emerged from the placentato penetrate the ovules at between 10 and 20 d after pollination.Fewer ovules were penetrated following self- than cross-pollination. Eucalyptus woodwardii Maiden, Lemon-flowered gum, Pistil receptivity, Pollen tube growth, Breeding system, Self-incompatibility     

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。     

烟草花粉萌发和花粉管生长期间柱头和花柱中的钙分布

烟草柱头表面有两层覆盖物,其中含有少量细小的钙颗粒.花粉落到柱头上后,储存在花粉外壁中的钙被释放到覆盖层中.当花粉管穿过覆盖层长入柱头细胞之间时,花粉管顶端的细胞壁中出现了大量的细小钙颗粒.开花后22 h观察时,在花柱引导组织中形成了钙的梯度分布:花柱上部引导组织中的钙较少,而下部连接子房处的花柱引导组织中含有较多的钙颗粒.去雄花开花后1 d时,花柱上部引导组织中的钙明显增多;3 d时,连柱头细胞中也出现了较多的钙颗粒.讨论了烟草花柱引导组织中钙梯度分布和花粉管生长的关系.