Allergenic and antigenic proteins released in the apertural sporoderm during the activation process in grass pollen grains

A combination of transmission electron microscopy with immunocytochemical methods was used to localize antigenic and allergenic proteins during the maturation and activation processes of Poaceae pollen grains. The intine undergoes a series of modifications that play a decisive role in these processes. Allergenic and antigenic proteins were detected particularly in the intine of activated in vitro grass pollen grains. Labelling of antigenic proteins was more abundant and less specific than that of allergenic proteins. At the time of hydration, the operculum was lifted up, the intine was swollen and labelling of allergenic proteins appeared highly localized in the Zwischenkörper. No significant labelling was observed when the Zwischenkörper gelatinized. Immunolocalization of allergenic proteins in the activated Zwischenkörper indicated the presence of proteins related to activation of the pollen grains. This confirms that the intine function is involved in the processes of pollen tube formation and fertilization, and also suggests the possible mechanism activated in the pollen grains when allergenic proteins reach the mucosa of sensitive subjects.     

Notes on the colour of pollen

The spectral reflection of pollen in 67 plant species out of 28 families was measured by means of mass recording of pollen grains. Various types of spectral reflection curves were found, but 75% belonged to two categories: 1. Human-yellow pollen with strong reflection in the green and red, and low reflection in the ultraviolet and blue range of wavelengths. 2. Human-whitish pollen with strong reflection in the green and red and additional reflection of shorter wavelengths. It is shown that it is important to have information about the mode of the visual pollen display — crypsis or colour contrast against the corolla, pollen advertisement, or concealment — and the visual capabilities of the presumed pollinators in order to be able to discuss the signalling function of pollen colours.     

Airborne grass pollen in Granada (Spain)

We have carried out a study on the annual and daily pollen concentrations from Gramineae over four consecutive years in the atmosphere of Granada (Spain). Samples of pollen grains were collected by the volumetric method with the aid of a Burkard sporetrap. Gramineae, according both to their high sensitizing capacity and to data from allergologists, are responsible for many pollinoses diagnosed in this area. In this work, daily pollen levels from April to July are monitored and the variations identified are interpreted in relation to meteorological conditions. Results indicated that the highest airborne concentrations of Gramineae pollen were found in May and June, although the beginning and intensity of pollination have been variable during these 4 years.     

A study on pollen grains ofCrocus cartwrightianus (Iridaceae)

Crocus cartwrightianus andC. cartwrightianus cv.albus pollen have been studied from structural and ultrastructural points of view and the germination assayed in vivo and in vitro.C. cartwrightianus pollen is regularly shaped and sized, has a low percentage of anomalous grains and has a high germination rate in vitro, whileC. cartwrightianus cv.albus is less regularly shaped with some variation in size and has a high percentage of anomalous grains and a low germination percentage in vitro. Ultrastructural observations have revealed, in the pollen of both the taxa, the presence of a thin elongated vegetative nucleus and a generative cell surrounded by a thin membrane. However,C. cartwrightianus pollen shows a thicker intine, andC. cartwrightianus cv.albus shows numerous pollen germination anomalies which are in common withC. sativus.     

Development of a pollen-mediated transformation method forNicotiana glutinosa

The development is described of a new procedure to genetically transform plant species using the male gametophyte as a natural transformation vector. Our system avoids the need for complicated regeneration procedures thus making it broadly applicable. Naked plasmid DNA encoding kanamycin resistance and GUS activity was introduced by particle gun bombardment into mature pollen grains ofNicotiana glutinosa. Bombarded pollen was used for pollinations and the resulting seeds were selected for kanamycin resistance. Two different kanamycin-resistant plants, designated VIP A and VIP B, were obtained in two independent experiments. In VIP A, TR2-driven GUS activity was observed in vascular bundles, trichomes and in a small number of pollen grains. DNA gel blot analysis indicated that the introduced DNA was integrated independently into the genome of VIP A and VIP B. It was shown that male and female gametophyte development and seed set were highly aberrant in both VIP A and VIP B and that the offspring of self- and cross-pollinations did not contain the transgenes. This might be caused by a recombination event during the integration of the naked DNA resulting in a deletion of part of the target chromosome. After meiosis such a deletion is lethal for the gametes. Our observation that the transgenes were detected in DNA isolated from sporophytic tissues but not in DNA from VIP A and VIP B pollen grains is in line with this explanation. Future experiments designed to increase the frequency of transformation and to transfer the transgenes to the offspring are discussed.     

鹅掌楸属植物引导组织和花粉管生长

应用光学显微镜和常规石蜡切片技术研究了鹅掌楸属（ＬｉｒｉｏｄｅｎｄｒｏｎＬ．）两种植物雌蕊引导组织的分布和个体发育,引导组织是由心皮边缘或内表面的表皮细胞层或亚细胞层发育形成,是由一层细胞组成的连续层,覆盖干柱头、花柱道和珠柄的表面,引导组织的细胞形态学因其所在部位不同而有差异。在电境水平上研究了柱头和花柱引导组织的超微结构,引导组织细胞是分泌型的传递细胞,其分泌面发育了明显的壁内突,细胞质中富含内质网、多聚核糖体、各种小泡、高尔基体和线粒体,大液泡通常远离分泌面。文中还探讨了花粉管生长后引导组织的变化。     

Metabolism of activated oxygen in detached wheat and rye leaves and its relevance to the initiation of senescence

Pollen grains of Plumbago zeylanica L. were serially sectioned and examined using transmission electron microscopy to determine the three-dimensional organization of sperm cells within the microgametophyte and the quantity of membrane-bound organelles occurring within each cell. Sperm cells occur in pairs within each pollen grain, but are dimorphic, differing in size, morphology and organelle content. The larger of the two sperm cells (S_vn) is distinguished by the presence of a long (approx. 30 m) projection, which wraps around and lies within embayments of the vegetative nucleus. This cell contains numerous mitochondria, up to two plastids and, infrequently, microbodies. It is characterized by a larger volume and surface area and contains a larger nucleus than the other sperm cell. The second sperm cell (S_ua) is linked by plasmodesmata with the S_vn, but is unassociated with the vegetative nucleus. It is smaller and lacks a cellular projection. The S_ua contains relatively few mitochondria, but numerous (up to 46) plastids and more microbodies than the other sperm. The degree of dimorphism in their content of heritable cytoplasmic organelles must at fertilization result in nearly unidirectional transmission of sperm plastids into just one of the two female reproductive cells, and preferential transmission of sperm mitochondria into the other.Abbreviations S_ua sperm cell unassociated with the vegetative nucleus - S_vn sperm cell physically associated with the vegetative nucleus 1=Russell and Cass (1981)     

The systematic relationships ofAegialitis (Plumbaginaceae) as revealed by pollen morphology

Light and first SEM observations on the pollen ofAegialitis indicate that the two species of the genus are clearly distinguishable from all other genera of the tribeStaticeae to whichAegialitis presently is relegated. Intraspecific exine or aperture dimorphism which appears frequently in this tribe, is not recorded in this genus.A. annulata andA. rotundifolia have distinct monomorphic pollen and show a great resemblance in exine features with the tribePlumbagineae, particularly species ofPlumbago. Considering these and other features, separate subtribal status forAegialitis within thePlumbagineae is proposed.     

鄂东南早白垩世灵乡群孢粉组合

本文根据从大冶灵乡-陈重山剖面的中部、灵乡狮子山东侧采坑和鄂城太和1孔的相当层位中所获得的孢粉组合(共67属120余种,其中新种9个,新联合2个),认为灵乡群孢粉组合属于 Classopollis、Psophosphaera-Cicatricosisporites、Schizaeoisporites-没有或极个别的出现被子植物花粉的组合类型,其地质时代应为早白垩世早期-中期(凡兰吟期-巴列姆期)。并推测鄂东南地区当时的气候属于偏干旱的热带-亚热带型。