Structure and function of the neck cell during fertilization in Ginkgo biloba L.

Wang, Di; Lu, Yan; Zhang, Min; Lu, Zhaogeng; Luo, Kaige; Cheng, Fangmei; Wang, Li

doi:10.1007/s00468-014-1013-2

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Approaching the fertilization time (c. 135-145 d after the pollination), the central cell (Fig. 2k) divides to form the egg cell and a ventral canal cell that will degenerate soon, prior to the fertilization event (Wang et al, 2014). Ginkgo is a zoidogamous gymnosperm, meaning that spermatozoids swim toward the archegonium, which opens subsequently to the conformational changes of neck cells, allowing the fusion of the two gametes (Wang et al, 2014).…”

Section: Ovule Development In Ginkgo: a Long Storymentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of pollination in controlling Ginkgo biloba ovule development

et al. 2021

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Summary Generally, in gymnosperms, pollination and fertilization events are temporally separated and the developmental processes leading the switch from ovule integument into seed coat are still unknown. The single ovule integument of Ginkgo biloba acquires the typical characteristics of the seed coat long before the fertilization event. In this study, we investigated whether pollination triggers the transformation of the ovule integument into the seed coat. Transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses performed on ovules just prior and after pollination lead to the identification of changes occurring in Ginkgo ovules during this specific time. A morphological atlas describing the developmental stages of ovule development is presented. The metabolic pathways involved in the lignin biosynthesis and in the production of fatty acids are activated upon pollination, suggesting that the ovule integument starts its differentiation into a seed coat before the fertilization. Omics analyses allowed an accurate description of the main changes that occur in Ginkgo ovules during the pollination time frame, suggesting the crucial role of the pollen arrival on the progression of ovule development.

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Section: Ovule Development In Ginkgo: a Long Storymentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of pollination in controlling Ginkgo biloba ovule development

et al. 2021

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“…This is a schematic diagram of the major stages of female gametophyte development of Ginkgo and the mature female gametophyte of Cycads and Gnetales. The schematic diagram was drawn according to Dhote, Gupta and Bijoy G (www.biologydiscussion.com) and Wang et al (2014). The female gametogenesis of different gymnosperms is quite similar.…”

Section: Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Central Cell in Flowering Plants: Specification, Signaling, and Evolution

Yang

2020

Front. Plant Sci.

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During the reproduction of animals and lower plants, one sperm cell usually outcompetes the rivals to fertilize a single egg cell. But in flowering plants, two sperm cells fertilize the two adjacent dimorphic female gametes, the egg and central cell, respectively, to initiate the embryo and endosperm within a seed. The endosperm nourishes the embryo development and is also the major source of nutrition in cereals for humankind. Central cell as one of the key innovations of flowering plants is the biggest cell in the multicellular haploid female gametophyte (embryo sac). The embryo sac differentiates from the meiotic products through successive events of nuclear divisions, cellularization, and cell specification. Nowadays, accumulating lines of evidence are raveling multiple roles of the central cell rather than only the endosperm precursor. In this review, we summarize the current understanding on its cell fate specification, intercellular communication, and evolution. We also highlight some key unsolved questions for the further studies in this field.

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“…A third source of fluid is from individual archegonia. In Ginkgo biloba , archegonial neck cells release fluid (Wang et al, 2014). Combinations of fluids are also possible, e.g., archegonial and pollen tube fluids (Chamberlain, 1910).…”

Section: Modern Gymnospermsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Evolution of Sexual Fluids in Gymnosperms From Pollination Drops to Nectar

2018

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A current synthesis of data from modern and fossil plants paints a new picture of sexual fluids, including nectar, as a foundational component of gymnosperm reproductive evolution. We review the morpho-anatomical adaptations, their accompanying secretions, and the functional compounds involved. We discuss two types of secretions: (1) those involved in fertilization fluids produced by gametophytes and archegonia of zooidogamous gymnosperms, i.e., Ginkgo and cycads, and (2) those involved in pollen capture mechanisms (PCMs), i.e., pollination drops. Fertilization fluids provide both liquid in which sperm swim, as well as chemotactic signals that direct sperm to the egg. Such fertilization fluids were probably found among many extinct plants such as ancient cycads and others with swimming sperm, but were subsequently lost upon the evolution of siphonogamy (direct delivery of sperm to the egg by pollen tubes), as found in modern gnetophytes, conifers, and Pinaceae. Pollination drops are discussed in terms of three major types of PCMs and the unique combinations of morphological and biochemical adaptations that define each. These include their amino acids, sugars, calcium, phosphate and proteins. The evolution of PCMs is also discussed with reference to fossil taxa. The plesiomorphic state of extant gymnosperms is a sugar-containing pollination drop functioning as a pollen capture surface, and an in ovulo pollen germination medium. Additionally, these drops are involved in ovule defense, and provide nectar for pollinators. Pollination drops in anemophilous groups have low sugar concentrations that are too low to provide insects with a reward. Instead, they appear to be optimized for defense and microgametophyte development. In insect-pollinated modern Gnetales a variety of tissues produce sexual fluids that bear the biochemical signature of nectar. Complete absence of fluid secretions is restricted to a few, poorly studied modern conifers, and is presumably derived. Aspects of pollination drop dynamics, e.g., regulation of secretion and retraction, are reviewed. Lastly, we discuss pollination drops’ control of pollen germination. Large gaps in our current knowledge include the composition of fertilization fluids, the pollination drops of Podocarpaceae, and the overall hydrodynamics of sexual fluids in general.

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Structure and function of the neck cell during fertilization in Ginkgo biloba L.

Cited by 13 publications

References 34 publications

The role of pollination in controlling Ginkgo biloba ovule development

The role of pollination in controlling Ginkgo biloba ovule development

Central Cell in Flowering Plants: Specification, Signaling, and Evolution

The Evolution of Sexual Fluids in Gymnosperms From Pollination Drops to Nectar

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