The mathematics of sexual attraction

Feijó, José A.

doi:10.1186/jbiol233

Cited by 17 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Their reproductive function is to carry the gametes through the pistil to the embryo sac in order to deliver the two sperm cells for double fertilization. Pollen tubes are specialized plant cells that grow very rapidly exclusively at the tip (Boavida et al, 2005;Feijó, 2010). They are also highly sensitized cells to various ion fluxes (Michard et al, 2009), making them natural cell biology models for ion signaling (Feijó et al, 2004;Konrad et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pollen Tube Growth Regulation by Free Anions Depends on the Interaction between the Anion Channel SLAH3 and Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases CPK2 and CPK20

Gutermuth¹,

et al. 2013

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(J.A.F.).Apical growth in pollen tubes (PTs) is associated with the presence of tip-focused ion gradients and fluxes, implying polar localization or regulation of the underlying transporters. The molecular identity and regulation of anion transporters in PTs is unknown. Here we report a negative gradient of cytosolic anion concentration focused on the tip, in negative correlation with the cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration. We hypothesized that a possible link between these two ions is based on the presence of Ca 2+ -dependent protein kinases (CPKs). We characterized anion channels and CPK transcripts in PTs and analyzed their localization. Yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) tagging of a homolog of SLOW ANION CHANNEL-ASSOCIATED1 (SLAH3:YFP) was widespread along PTs, but, in accordance with the anion efflux, CPK2/CPK20/CPK17/CPK34:YFP fluorescence was strictly localized at the tip plasma membrane. Expression of SLAH3 with either CPK2 or CPK20 (but not CPK17/CPK34) in Xenopus laevis oocytes elicited S-type anion channel currents. Interaction of SLAH3 with CPK2/CPK20 (but not CPK17/CPK34) was confirmed by Förster-resonance energy transfer fluorescence lifetime microscopy in Arabidopsis thaliana mesophyll protoplasts and bimolecular fluorescence complementation in living PTs. Compared with wild-type PTs, slah3-1 and slah3-2 as well as cpk2-1 cpk20-2 PTs had reduced anion currents. Double mutant cpk2-1 cpk20-2 and slah3-1 PTs had reduced extracellular anion fluxes at the tip. Our studies provide evidence for a Ca 2+ -dependent CPK2/CPK20 regulation of the anion channel SLAH3 to regulate PT growth.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pollen Tube Growth Regulation by Free Anions Depends on the Interaction between the Anion Channel SLAH3 and Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases CPK2 and CPK20

Gutermuth¹,

et al. 2013

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“…Despite apparent anatomical simplicity, the pistil plays a central role in the success of this process. Its structure is precisely adapted to bear the female gametophyte and to act in a way that influences pollen tube growth (Boavida et al, 2005a(Boavida et al, , 2005bFeijó, 2010). The first pollen-stigma recognition event involves molecules present on both partner surfaces to promote pollen adhesion and subsequent hydration (Hiscock and Allen, 2008).…”

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confidence: 99%

Whole Genome Analysis of Gene Expression Reveals Coordinated Activation of Signaling and Metabolic Pathways during Pollen-Pistil Interactions in Arabidopsis

et al. 2011

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Plant reproduction depends on the concerted activation of many genes to ensure correct communication between pollen and pistil. Here, we queried the whole transcriptome of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) in order to identify genes with specific reproductive functions. We used the Affymetrix ATH1 whole genome array to profile wild-type unpollinated pistils and unfertilized ovules. By comparing the expression profile of pistils at 0.5, 3.5, and 8.0 h after pollination and applying a number of statistical and bioinformatics criteria, we found 1,373 genes differentially regulated during pollen-pistil interactions. Robust clustering analysis grouped these genes in 16 time-course clusters representing distinct patterns of regulation. Coregulation within each cluster suggests the presence of distinct genetic pathways, which might be under the control of specific transcriptional regulators. A total of 78% of the regulated genes were expressed initially in unpollinated pistil and/or ovules, 15% were initially detected in the pollen data sets as enriched or preferentially expressed, and 7% were induced upon pollination. Among those, we found a particular enrichment for unknown transcripts predicted to encode secreted proteins or representing signaling and cell wall-related proteins, which may function by remodeling the extracellular matrix or as extracellular signaling molecules. A strict regulatory control in various metabolic pathways suggests that fine-tuning of the biochemical and physiological cellular environment is crucial for reproductive success. Our study provides a unique and detailed temporal and spatial gene expression profile of in vivo pollen-pistil interactions, providing a framework to better understand the basis of the molecular mechanisms operating during the reproductive process in higher plants.

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“…Using the plate assay, ovule-derived attractants were reported to play a critical role in guiding pollen tube entry into the ovule [5]. In another study, applying stochastic mathematical modeling of pollen tube growth in the plate assay, pollen tubes were found to respond to ovule-secreted chemoattractants by following their gradients [7,8]. Despite these characterizations, the cues that mediate these signaling events remain largely unknown, particularly in A. thaliana.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A microsystem-based assay for studying pollen tube guidance in plant reproduction

Yetisen

Jiang

Cooper

et al. 2011

J. Micromech. Microeng.

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We present a novel microsystem-based assay to assess and quantify pollen tube behavior in response to pistil tissues. During plant reproduction, signals from female tissues (pistils) guide the sperm-carrying pollen tube to the egg cell to achieve fertilization and initiate seed development. Existing pollen tube guidance bioassays are performed in an isotropically diffusive environment (for example, a semi in vivo assay in petri dishes) instead of anisotropically diffusive conditions required to characterize guidance signal gradients. Lack of a sensitive pollen tube guidance bioassay has therefore compounded the difficulties of identifying and characterizing the guidance signals that are likely produced in minute quantities by the ovules. We therefore developed a novel microsystem-based assay that mimics the in vivo micro-environment of ovule fertilization by pollen tubes in the model research plant Arabidopsis thaliana. In this microdevice, the pollen tube growth rate, length and ovule targeting frequencies were similar to those obtained using a semi in vivo plate assay. As a direct measure of the microdevice's utility in monitoring pollen tube guidance, we demonstrated that in this device, pollen tubes preferentially enter chambers with unfertilized ovules, suggesting that the pollen tubes sense the concentration gradient and respond to the chemoattractants secreted by unfertilized ovules.S Online supplementary data available from stacks.iop.org/JMM/21/054018/mmedia

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The mathematics of sexual attraction

Cited by 17 publications

References 14 publications

Pollen Tube Growth Regulation by Free Anions Depends on the Interaction between the Anion Channel SLAH3 and Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases CPK2 and CPK20

Pollen Tube Growth Regulation by Free Anions Depends on the Interaction between the Anion Channel SLAH3 and Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases CPK2 and CPK20

Whole Genome Analysis of Gene Expression Reveals Coordinated Activation of Signaling and Metabolic Pathways during Pollen-Pistil Interactions in Arabidopsis

A microsystem-based assay for studying pollen tube guidance in plant reproduction

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