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Aerobic fermentation in tobacco pollen
M Bucher1, K A Brander, S Sbicego
1Institute of Plant Physiology, University of Berne, Switzerland.
Plant Molecular Biology
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Pollen utilizes ethanolic fermentation, a process involving alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) enzymes. Ethanol production in pollen is primarily influenced by the incubation medium, not oxygen levels.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Biochemistry
- Metabolic pathways
Background:
- Ethanolic fermentation is crucial in many organisms, but its role in pollen is less understood.
- Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) are key enzymes in this pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the genes encoding ADH and PDC in pollen.
- To investigate the regulation and function of these enzymes in pollen.
- To determine the factors influencing ethanolic fermentation rates in pollen.
Main Methods:
- Gene isolation and characterization of PDC1 and PDC2.
- Analysis of gene expression in leaves and pollen.
- Measurement of ethanolic fermentation flux in pollen.
- Assessment of ethanol production under varying environmental and media conditions.
Main Results:
- Two PDC-encoding genes were identified with distinct regulatory patterns (PDC1 in leaves, PDC2 constitutively in pollen).
- Ethanolic fermentation occurs in pollen regardless of conditions.
- Incubation medium composition significantly impacts ethanol production rate more than oxygen availability.
- High ethanol concentrations (over 100 mM) accumulate during optimal pollen tube growth.
Conclusions:
- Pollen possesses a functional ethanolic fermentation pathway involving ADH and PDC.
- Pollen's ethanol production is highly sensitive to nutrient availability in the surrounding medium.
- This pathway may play a significant role in pollen physiology and development.