Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Fluorescent Immunolocalization of Arabinogalactan Proteins and Pectins in the Cell Wall of Plant Tissues
Published on: February 27, 2021
Hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins in plant reproductive tissues: structure, functions and regulation
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, USA.
Abstract:
The plant reproductive process of pollination involves a series of interactions between the male gametophyte (the pollen grain or pollen tube) and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules secreted by different cell types along the pollen tube growth pathway in the female organ, the pistil. These interactions are believed to signal and regulate the pollen tube growth process to effect successful delivery of the sperm cells to the ovules where fertilization takes place. Hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins secreted by plant cells are believed to play a broad range of functions, ranging from providing structural integrity to mediating cell-cell interactions and communication. The pistil and pollen tube ECM is enriched in these highly glycosylated proteins. Our discussions here will focus on a number of these proteins for which most information has been available, from Nicotiana tabacum, its self-incompatible relative N. alata, and Zea mays. In addition, the regulation of the synthesis and glyco-modification of one of these proteins, TTS (transmitting tissue-specific) protein from N. tabacum will be discussed in the light of how differential glycosylation may be used to regulate molecular interactions within the ECM.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Plant Hormones
Proteoglycans
Cell Signaling in Plants
Plant Hormones
Matrix Proteoglycans and Glycoproteins
Cell Adhesion in Plants
Pectins are complex heteropolymers mainly composed of negatively-charged α-D-glucopyranosyl uronic acid and some neutral glycosyl residues such as α-L-rhamnopyranose, α-L-arabinofuranose, and...

