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Imaging Spatial Reorganization of a MAPK Signaling Pathway Using the Tobacco Transient Expression System
Published on: March 20, 2016
Suppression of heterotrimeric G-protein beta-subunit affects anther shape, pollen development and inflorescence
Tatjana Peskan-Berghöfer1, Jana Neuwirth, Victor Kusnetsov
1Institute of General Botany and Plant Physiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Dornburgerstr. 159, 07743 Jena, Germany.
Abstract:
The role of the heterotrimeric G-protein beta-subunit in plant development was studied in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants with reduced beta-subunit levels due to the antisense expression of the beta-subunit mRNA. The antisense plants had aberrant anther shape and produced non-germinating pollen. The anthers were sporadically transformed to petals, whereas other floral organs were not affected. The pollen grains were smaller than the wild-type pollen and had abnormal cell walls. The architecture of mature antisense plants was altered. The plants had long branched panicles and short stems. These data suggest that the beta-subunit of the plant heterotrimeric G-proteins is involved in the regulation of the reproductive phase of the tobacco life cycle, particularly in stamen development and pollen maturation.
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Trihybrid Crosses
Some of Mendel’s crosses examined three pairs of contrasting characteristics. Such a cross is called a trihybrid cross. A trihybrid cross is a combination of three individual monohybrid crosses. For example, plant height (tall vs. short), seed shape (round vs. wrinkled), and seed color (yellow vs. green).
The F1 generation plants of a trihybrid cross are heterozygous for all three traits and produce eight gametes. Upon self-fertilization, these gametes have an equal chance to...

