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A developmentally regulated MAP kinase activated by hydration in tobacco pollen
C Wilson1, V Voronin, A Touraev
1Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Vienna Biocenter, University of Vienna, Austria. cathal@gem.univie.ac.at
The Plant Cell
|December 24, 1997
Summary
A new mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway in tobacco is activated by hydration during pollen germination. This MAP kinase is synthesized during maturation but remains inactive until pollen hydration, suggesting a role in pollen activation.
Area of Science:
- Plant molecular biology
- Signal transduction pathways
- Pollen development and germination
Background:
- Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are crucial signaling molecules in eukaryotes.
- Understanding plant signaling pathways is essential for crop improvement and reproductive biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a novel MAP kinase signaling pathway in tobacco.
- To investigate the role of this pathway in pollen development and germination.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of different pollen development stages.
- Transcriptional and translational analysis of MAP kinase synthesis.
- Kinase activity assays post-hydration.
- Immunoprecipitation using anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies.
Main Results:
- A novel MAP kinase pathway was identified in tobacco.
- MAP kinase synthesis is induced at the mid-bicellular stage of pollen maturation.
- The MAP kinase is stored in an inactive form in dry pollen and rapidly activated upon hydration.
- Activation kinetics suggest a role in initial pollen activation rather than pollen tube growth.
Conclusions:
- A novel, developmentally regulated MAP kinase pathway is involved in tobacco pollen hydration and activation.
- This pathway is synthesized during pollen maturation and activated rapidly upon hydration.
- The findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms governing pollen germination.