Growth and development of conifer pollen tubes |
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Authors: | Danilo D Fernando Mark D Lazzaro John N Owens |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA;(2) Department of Biology, College of Charleston, 58 Coming Street, Charleston, SC 29424, USA;(3) Centre for Forest Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada |
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Abstract: | Conifer pollen tubes are an important but underused experimental system in plant biology. They represent a major evolutionary
step in male gametophyte development as an intermediate form between the haustorial pollen tubes of cycads and Ginkgo and the structurally reduced and faster growing pollen tubes of flowering plants. Conifer pollen grains are available in
large quantities, most can be stored for several years, and they grow very well in culture. The study of pollen tube growth
and development furthers our understanding of conifer reproduction and contributes towards our ability to improve on their
productivity. This review covers taxonomy and morphology to cell, developmental, and molecular biology. It explores recent
advances in research on conifer pollen and pollen tubes in vivo, focusing on pollen wall structure, male gametophyte development
within the pollen wall, pollination mechanisms, pollen tube growth and development, and programmed cell death. It also explores
recent research in vitro, including the cellular mechanisms underlying pollen tube elongation, in vitro fertilization, genetic
transformation and gene expression, and pine pollen tube proteomics. With the ongoing sequencing of the Pinus taeda genome in several labs, we expect the use of conifer pollen tubes as an experimental system to increase in the next decade. |
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Keywords: | Conifers Gymnosperm reproduction Microsporogenesis Microgametogenesis Pollen Pollen tubes |
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