Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Measuring the Osmotic Water Permeability Coefficient Pf of Spherical Cells: Isolated Plant Protoplasts as an Example
Published on: October 8, 2014
Pollen aquaporins: What are they there for?
Juliana Andrea Pérez Di Giorgio1, María Laura Barberini1, Gabriela Amodeo2,3
1a Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular, Dr. Héctor Torres (INGEBI-CONICET) , Vuelta de Obligado, Buenos Aires , Argentina.
Abstract:
In order to provide more insight into the function of aquaporins during pollination, we characterized NIP4;1 and NIP4;2, 2 pollen-specific aquaporins of Arabidopsis thaliana. NIP4;1 and NIP4;2 displayed high amino acid identity. RT-PCR and GUS promoter analysis showed that they have different expression patterns. NIP4;1 is expressed at low levels in mature pollen, while NIP4;2 is highly expressed only during pollen tube growth. Single T-DNA nip4;1 and nip4;2 mutants and double amiRNA nip4;1 nip4;2 knockdowns showed reduced male fertility due to deficient pollen germination and pollen tube length. Functional assays in oocytes showed that NIP4;1 and NIP4;2 transport water and nonionic solutes. Here, the participation of the different pollen aquaporins in pollen hydration and pollen tube growth is discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Aquaporins
The Apoplast and Symplast
Short-distance Transport of Resources
Regulation of Transpiration by Stomata
Reabsorption and Secretion in the DCT and Collecting Duct
The distal...
Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources

