The Mechanics of the Grass Flower: The Extension of the Staminal Filaments and the Lodicules of Maize

In this paper on the flower mechanics of the grasses, the morphological and cytological processes leading to flower opening and anther exsertion are studied.At anthesis synchronous cell extension in both the lodicules and the filaments open the flower and exsert the anthers, respectively. In the lodicules all the cells extend, except the vascular tissues. In the filaments extension is limited to the epidermis and one or two subepidermal cell layers, whereas the more centrally located parenchyma and the vascular tissues are disrupted. Ultrastructural aspects of the rapid vacuolations, necessary for these extensions, are studied using comparisons between TEM and high-resolution SEM.     

Analysis of the Maize dicer-like1 Mutant,fuzzy tassel,Implicates MicroRNAs in Anther Maturation and Dehiscence

Sexual reproduction in plants requires development of haploid gametophytes from somatic tissues. Pollen is the male gametophyte and develops within the stamen; defects in the somatic tissues of the stamen and in the male gametophyte itself can result in male sterility. The maize fuzzy tassel (fzt) mutant has a mutation in dicer-like1 (dcl1), which encodes a key enzyme required for microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis. Many miRNAs are reduced in fzt, and fzt mutants exhibit a broad range of developmental defects, including male sterility. To gain further insight into the roles of miRNAs in maize stamen development, we conducted a detailed analysis of the male sterility defects in fzt mutants. Early development was normal in fzt mutant anthers, however fzt anthers arrested in late stages of anther maturation and did not dehisce. A minority of locules in fzt anthers also exhibited anther wall defects. At maturity, very little pollen in fzt anthers was viable or able to germinate. Normal pollen is tricellular at maturity; pollen from fzt anthers included a mixture of unicellular, bicellular, and tricellular pollen. Pollen from normal anthers is loaded with starch before dehiscence, however pollen from fzt anthers failed to accumulate starch. Our results indicate an absolute requirement for miRNAs in the final stages of anther and pollen maturation in maize. Anther wall defects also suggest that miRNAs have key roles earlier in anther development. We discuss candidate miRNAs and pathways that might underlie fzt anther defects, and also note that male sterility in fzt resembles water deficit-induced male sterility, highlighting a possible link between development and stress responses in plants.     

植物花药开裂的细胞学和分子生物学机制

植物花药开裂具有重要的生物学意义,花药开裂异常所导致的最直接后果为花粉粒不能正常散粉,影响到植物受精过程。现从细胞和分子生物学角度综述了植物花药开裂过程中花药组织的细胞结构和生理变化及调控花药开裂相关基因的分离和克隆。     

烟草花发育过程中花药和花粉IAA分布规律的研究

以烟草（Nicotiana tabacumL.）花药为材料,通过4’,6-二脒基-2-苯基吲哚（DAPI）染色详细观察花粉发育过程,获得了花药发育时期与花蕾大小的对应关系;通过吲哚乙酸（IAA）单克隆抗体、免疫组织化学技术以及DR5∶∶GUS转基因植株的GUS活性对花药和花粉发育过程中生长素的分布规律进行了研究。免疫酶标记结果表明,在不同的花药发育时期IAA水平呈现出明显的差别。小孢子母细胞时期,IAA在整个花药中均有分布,并且在小孢子母细胞发育晚期,IAA信号集中在小孢子母细胞的细胞核中;随着小孢子母细胞减数分裂后形成四分体,IAA信号逐渐减弱,四分体中几乎没有信号;单核花粉期的花药中IAA信号进一步减弱,仅存在于花药壁中;待小孢子继续发育为成熟二核期时,花粉和整个花药组织中均出现较强的IAA信号。GUS活性检测结果表明,烟草DR5∶∶GUS转基因植株中花药和花粉粒的GUS信号与IAA免疫酶定位结果基本一致。总的来说,IAA在烟草花药和花粉中的积累呈现出由强到弱、再由弱到强的分布规律,暗示IAA在被子植物花药和花粉发育过程中可能起着较为重要的作用。     

The Amino-Acids of Grass Pollen

Pollens collected from nine grass species were analysed forammonia, urea, glutamine, asparagine, amino-nitrogen, totalsoluble nitrogen, and total nitrogen. Four grass pollens werealso assayed microbiologically for 17 individual amino-acids. Wide variations in composition were found between pollens fromdifferent grasses. Soluble nitrogen was in most cases relativelyhigh in proportion to the total nitrogen. Asparagine occurredin much greater amount than glutamine. Of the free amino-acids,the most abundant was proline, its content in the perennialryegrass pollen reaching 165 per cent, of the dry weight ofthe pollen.     

The DEFECTIVE IN ANTHER DEHISCENCE1 Gene Encodes a Novel Phospholipase A1 Catalyzing the Initial Step of Jasmonic Acid Biosynthesis, Which Synchronizes Pollen Maturation, Anther Dehiscence, and Flower Opening in Arabidopsis

The Arabidopsis mutant defective in anther dehiscence1 (dad1) shows defects in anther dehiscence, pollen maturation, and flower opening. The defects were rescued by the exogenous application of jasmonic acid (JA) or linolenic acid, which is consistent with the reduced accumulation of JA in the dad1 flower buds. We identified the DAD1 gene by T-DNA tagging, which is characteristic to a putative N-terminal transit peptide and a conserved motif found in lipase active sites. DAD1 protein expressed in Escherichia coli hydrolyzed phospholipids in an sn-1–specific manner, and DAD1–green fluorescent protein fusion protein expressed in leaf epidermal cells localized predominantly in chloroplasts. These results indicate that the DAD1 protein is a chloroplastic phospholipase A1 that catalyzes the initial step of JA biosynthesis. DAD1 promoter::β-glucuronidase analysis revealed that the expression of DAD1 is restricted in the stamen filaments. A model is presented in which JA synthesized in the filaments regulates the water transport in stamens and petals.     

Pollen Dimorphism--Origin and Significance in Pollen Plant Formation by Anther Culture

Pollen dimorphism during the ripening of Nicotiana tabacum antherstakes the form of differentiation at the binucleate pollen stageinto normal (N) grains, characterized by their high frequency,larger size, densely–staining cytoplasm and high starchcontent and into smaller (S) grains characterized by their variableand low frequency and weakly–staining cytoplasm. Mostof the S grains show distinctive vegetative and generative nuclei(A grains); a small number have two vegetative–type nuclei(B grains). Evidence is presented that when excised anthersare cultured, pollen plants arise only from S grains. It issuggested that the differentiation into N and S grains arisesby an abnormal second meiotic division in the pollen mothercells. Nicotiana tabacum, tobacco, pollen dimorphism, anther culture     

Mechanism of Anther Dehiscence in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

This paper presents a new explanation of the mechanism of antherdehiscence in rice during the period from floret opening topollen dispersal. The theca dehisced on the stomium in the apicalpart and the anther wall in the basal part of the large locule.Comparison of the anther dehiscence process under various airhumidity conditions showed that the process, until the splittingat the apical and basal parts, was a moisture-requiring processwhereas the widening of the splits in both parts was a desiccatoryprocess. Observation of the anther transverse section, revealedthe marked development of the U-shaped thick cell wall in theendothecium adjacent to these two splits. From these observations,the anther dehiscence mechanism may be explained as follows.At the time of anthesis, pollen grains swell rapidly in responseto the floret opening and cause the theca to bulge, rupturingthe septum. The pollen pressure combined with the inward bendingof the locule walls adjacent to the stomium causes splittingof the stomium in the apical part of the theca. At the sametime, the septum rupture extends to the bottom of the largelocule supported by the pollen pressure. After these processes,the locule walls adjacent to both splits straighten probablydue to their water loss. This straightening widens the splitsand the swollen pollen grains overflow from the widened splits.Copyright1999 Annals of Botany Company Anther dehiscence, Oryza sativa L., pollen grain swelling, rice, septum, stomium, theca.     

菠萝蜜花药发育及花粉萌发研究

研究花药发育过程和花粉萌发条件是菠萝蜜稳产优质的基础。采用石蜡切片和离体培养的方法,对菠萝蜜花药的发育和花粉萌发进行了研究,结果表明：菠萝蜜的花药有4个花粉囊;减数分裂的胞质分裂有连续型和同时型两种形式,形成了等双面体排列和四面体排列的四分体;成熟花药的表皮细胞积累有大量的单宁。160 g·L^-1的蔗糖和0.25 g·L^-1的硼酸混合溶液对菠萝蜜花粉萌发具有明显的促进作用,CaCl₂对菠萝蜜花粉萌发作用不明显。     

Disposition of Pollen in situ and its Relevance to Anther/Pollen Culture

Disposition of pollen in immature anthers of Hordeum vulgareis illustrated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.Freeze-fracture confirms that the pollen is confined to a uniseriatecolumn aligned against the tapetum. There is no free pollenin the lumen of the anther loculi. In contrast, in Nicotianatabacum and Paeonia lactlflora the pollen is disposed at randomand occupies the whole of each loculus. Freezing preserves thefluid content of the loculi, appearing in fracture profilesas an amorphous matrix in which the pollen is embedded. Thematrix, which generally obscures the tapetum, is present throughoutthe microspore phase but diminishes as the spores enlarge. Itis still present in N. tabacum and H. vulgare at the first pollendivision, fragmentary at this stage in P. lactiflora, but isno longer discernible in any of the species at the onset ofpollen-grain maturation. Pretreatment of excised Hordeum spikes at 4 ?C during the microsporephase, a prerequisite for anther/pollen culture, disrupts thenormal developmental sequence but does not alter the uniseriatedisposition. Before the spores start to divide, however, thetapetum degenerates and the fluid phase is dispersed. The observations are discussed in relation to isolated pollenculture, float culture of anthers and the switch in programmefrom gametophytic to sporophytic development. Key words: Pollen, Tapetum, Freeze-fracture     

扁桃花药开裂前后壁层细胞形态变化及分析

为探明扁桃花药开裂前后壁层细胞形态变化,以鹰咀扁桃鳞片开裂期、小蕾期、大蕾期和盛花期的花蕾为研究材料,运用石蜡切片法结合铁苏木精染色法、考马斯亮蓝染色法、PAS染色法对花药壁层细胞进行染色;同时用Nikon SMZ-250体视显微镜拍摄花药开裂过程,观测花粉粒长、短轴长度。结果表明:(1)从鳞片开裂期到小蕾期,花粉粒的长、短轴长度都增大,多糖颗粒数量增多,绒毡层细胞完全消失,中层细胞和药隔处细胞逐渐溶解;药室内壁细胞切向长度增加幅度大于径向长度,内、外壁长度都增大,螺旋状纤维进一步形成;表皮细胞切向长度增加幅度大于径向长度。(2)从小蕾期到大蕾期花粉粒长、短轴长度明显增大,多糖颗粒持续增多;中层细胞和药隔处细胞大部分溶解;药室内壁细胞径向、切向长度持续增大,内壁长度增大、外壁长度趋于稳定,多糖颗粒数量减少,螺旋状纤维基本形成;表皮细胞切向减小幅度大于径向。(3)从大蕾期到花药半开裂,花粉粒长、短轴长度稍微增大;中层细胞和药隔处细胞完全溶解;药室内壁细胞切向长度持续增大,径向长度趋于稳定,内壁长度持续增大,外壁长度逐渐减小,多糖颗粒数量较少;表皮细胞切向、径向长度持续减小。(4)花药半开裂后,花粉粒长、短轴长度都减小;药室内壁细胞和表皮细胞切向、径向长度都减小;药室内壁细胞内、外壁长度减小并趋于接近,内壁长度减小趋势出现晚于外壁。研究认为,扁桃花药壁层细胞形态变化是花药开裂的基础,并与花药开裂密切相关。     

Zinc Deficiency and Anther Development in Maize

With the onset of male reproductive phase at 28 days, zinc waswithdrawn from fifty percent of maize (Zea mays L. cv. Ganga2) plants grown in refined sand at 0.13 mg Zn liter^–1.Plants from which zinc was withdrawn developed zinc deficiencysymptoms in young leaves after 38 days and were low in tissuezinc. Their tassel formation and pollen development was retarded.Anthers failed to develop beyond freshly liberated young pollengrain stage and vessels were formed in place of sporogenoustissue in sixty percent anthers of the younger of the two florets.Anthers from these plants showed low zinc concentration andstimulated specific activities of catalase, peroxidase, ribonucleaseand acid phosphatase. On resuming normal zinc (0.13 mg Zn liter^–1) through rootsto the plants from which it was withdrawn for 17 days, vegetativegrowth was partially renewed and short axillary buds were formedbut the development of anthers remained retarded. (Received April 11, 1986; Accepted October 15, 1986)     

水稻台中65与其花粉不育近等基因系的杂种F1的裂药性研究

以台中65及其7个F1花粉不育近等基因系为材料,对水稻亚种间杂种F1裂药性及其与小穗育性的关系进行了研究。结果表明,杂种F1的裂药性受花粉不育基因互作控制。不同杂合座位内等位花粉不育基因互作导致杂种F1花药不开裂的程度不同,S-b座位导致杂种F1部分花药不开裂;不同杂合座位问非等位花粉不育基因互作明显降低杂种F1的裂药程度;杂种F1中含杂合花粉不育基因座位数越多,其裂药指数越小,裂药程度越低,含三个杂合花粉不育基因座位的杂种F1裂药指数为2．27,35．3％的花药不开裂。杂种F1花药不开裂的原因随其所含的杂合花粉不育基因座位种类和数目不同而异。杂种F1裂药程度的下降显著减少落在其柱头上的花粉总数和萌发的花粉数。杂种F1裂药指数和结实率呈极显著的正相关关系。     

The Mechanics of the Flower Stem of the Sedge Carex acutiformis

The mechanics of the triangular stems of Carex acutiformis wasinvestigated by subjecting sections to bending and torsionaltests. The stem was rigid in bending, being stiffened peripherallyby lignified material around the vascular bundles, but becauseof its triangular shape it was vulnerable to local buckling.Despite being and narrow the stem was able to support the seedhead, though it sagged appreciably towards the tip. In contrastthe stem had very low torsional rigidity, both because of itstriangular shape because the strands of lignified material wereisolated from each other. In its lowland habitat this allowsthe drooping stem to twist away from the light winds, so reducingdrag and the chances of self-fertilization. This method of reconfiguringis not possible in the shorter, stiffer mountain sedges whichmust withstand higher winds; many therefore have more circularstems which will be more efficient at resisting bending.Copyright1993, 1999 Academic Press Carex acutiformis, sedge, mechanics, bending, torsion     

Anther Culture in Nicotiana tabacum: The Role of the Culture Vessel Atmosphere in Pollen Embryo Induction and Growth

A comparison of four volumes of culture vessel atmosphere revealedthat this variable greatly influenced the induction and growthof pollen embryos from anthers of Nicotiana tabacum. The optimumfrequency of anthers producing embryos and plantlets was foundwith a culture atmosphere of 15 ml per anther, whereas the optimumnumber of plantlets was found with 5.5 ml per anther. A smallvolume (0.5 ml per anther) almost completely suppressed embryoinduction. Removal of specific components of the culture atmosphere(ethylene, carbon dioxide, oxygen) influenced the response ofthe anthers but did not produce a satisfactory explanation ofthe inhibition of pollen embryogenesis by the small cultureatmosphere volume. In particular, the influence of ethyleneabsorption on embryo induction and growth depended both on theculture atmosphere volume and on the stage of development ofthe pollen at the start of culture. Using anthers containingpollen at a stage after the first pollen grain mitosis. ethyleneabsorption was found to increase the survival of induced embryos.Treatment of anthers for 3 d with silver nitrate, a known antagonistof ethylene action, was not an efficient means of increasingthe yield of pollen plantlets.