Thermosensitivity of pollen: a molecular perspective

Area of Science:

• Plant reproductive biology
• Climate change impacts on agriculture
• Molecular plant stress physiology

Background:

• Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, posing a significant threat to global food security.
• Crop plants are highly susceptible to elevated temperatures, particularly during reproductive development, leading to reduced seed yield.
• Male gametophyte (pollen) development is a critical and sensitive stage vulnerable to heat stress, impacting plant fertility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the ultrastructural, morphological, biochemical, and molecular changes in male gametophytes under high-temperature stress.
• To elucidate the temperature-sensing mechanisms and regulatory networks involved in pollen thermotolerance.
• To highlight the potential of omics approaches in understanding heat stress responses in pollen.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on high temperature effects on plant male gametophytes.
• Analysis of ultrastructural, morphological, biochemical, and molecular data.
• Focus on reactive oxygen species (ROS), heat shock factors (HSFs), hormone signaling, and transcriptional regulation.

Main Results:

• High temperatures induce pollen abortion, reduce pollen viability and germination rates, and ultimately decrease seed yield.
• A complex temperature sensing cascade involving ROS, HSFs, hormones, and transcriptional networks operates in pollen.
• Various omics approaches are valuable for deciphering molecular events triggered by heat stress in pollen.

Conclusions:

• Understanding heat-induced aberrations in male gametophytes is essential for developing climate-resilient crops.
• Knowledge of thermotolerance mechanisms can be applied to breed or engineer crops with enhanced reproductive heat tolerance.
• Developing thermotolerant crops is vital for maintaining global food security in the face of climate change.