Electro-fused isolated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) gametes develop into multicellular structures

Area of Science:

• Plant Biotechnology
• Reproductive Biology
• Cellular Agriculture

Background:

• Traditional plant breeding methods can be time-consuming and limited in scope.
• Achieving successful fertilization at the single-cell level is crucial for advancing plant genetic manipulation and breeding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and demonstrate the feasibility of electrofusion-mediated fertilization between single wheat egg cells and isolated sperm cells.
• To assess the developmental potential of fusion products derived from this novel fertilization technique.

Main Methods:

• Electrofusion of individually selected wheat sperm cells with single wheat egg cells.
• Culture of fused cells and control egg cells using a maize feeder-cell system.
• Assessment of cell division and subsequent development of fusion products.

Main Results:

• Successful electrofusion-mediated fertilization of wheat egg cells with sperm cells was achieved for the first time, with fusion frequencies ranging from 30% to 55%.
• Approximately 60% of fusion products initiated cell division within two days post-fusion.
• A high percentage (88.5%) of dividing fusion products developed into multicellular structures, with some forming microcalluses.
• Control cultures of unfertilized egg cells, with or without electric field application, showed no cell division.

Conclusions:

• Electrofusion is a viable method for achieving fertilization at the single-cell level in wheat.
• The fusion products exhibit significant developmental potential, forming multicellular structures and microcalluses.
• This technique offers a promising new avenue for wheat genetic improvement and propagation.