Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 14, 2025
Development of a Cabbage Protoplast System for Studying Hypoxia Tolerance in Brassica
Published on: September 20, 2024
Programmed cell death during microgenesis in a Honglian CMS line of rice is correlated with oxidative stress in
Shaoqing Li1, Cuixiang Wan1, Jin Kong1
1Key Laboratory of MOE for Plant Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China.
Abstract:
The key role of mitochondria in the integration of apoptosis and oxidative stress in mammals has been documented. In plants, mitochondria are implicated in cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), programmed cell death (PCD), and oxidative stress. However, to date there has been no evidence presented of the interplay among CMS, PCD and oxidative stress. In this study, we demonstrate that the pollen abortion of Honglian CMS line of rice (Oryza sativa L.) displays a PCD phenotype. A premature loss of microspores was accompanied by several biochemical markers of apoptosis. Analysis of mitochondria revealed that during the PCD process there was disruption of the inner mitochondrial membrane potential in microspores. This disruption was correlated with excess production of reactive oxygen species and down-regulation of the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase in mitochondria. The excess accumulation of ROS spanned three stages from pollen mother cell to early-uninucleate stage, and was followed by the occurrence of PCD at meiosis. Our data suggest that the microspores suffered from severe oxidative stress during pollen development. It is likely the chronic oxidative stress triggered the tissue-specific PCD and consequently resulted in the abortion of microspores.
Insights
Mitochondria dysfunction causes programmed cell death (PCD) and pollen abortion in rice cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS). Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation are key factors in this process, impacting male fertility.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Mitochondrial Function
- Stress Physiology
Background:
- Mitochondria are crucial for apoptosis and oxidative stress in mammals.
- In plants, mitochondria are linked to cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), programmed cell death (PCD), and oxidative stress.
- The interplay among CMS, PCD, and oxidative stress in plants remains largely uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), programmed cell death (PCD), and oxidative stress in rice.
- To elucidate the role of mitochondria in pollen abortion in the Honglian CMS line of rice (Oryza sativa L.).
Main Methods:
- Observation of PCD phenotype in rice pollen abortion.
- Biochemical analysis of apoptosis markers.
- Mitochondrial membrane potential assessment.
- Measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
- Enzyme activity assays for superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and catalase.
Main Results:
- Pollen abortion in the Honglian CMS rice line exhibits a programmed cell death (PCD) phenotype.
- Microspore loss is associated with biochemical markers of apoptosis and disrupted inner mitochondrial membrane potential.
- Excessive ROS production and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX, catalase) in mitochondria were observed.
- ROS accumulation occurred during early pollen development stages, preceding PCD at meiosis.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are implicated in the programmed cell death (PCD) leading to pollen abortion in rice CMS.
- Chronic oxidative stress during microspore development likely triggers tissue-specific PCD and male sterility.
- This study provides the first evidence of the interplay among CMS, PCD, and oxidative stress in plants.
