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The molecular and genetic basis of pollen–pistil interactions
Author(s) -
Wheeler M. J.,
FranklinTong V. E.,
Franklin F. C. H.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1046/j.0028-646x.2001.00229.x
Subject(s) - pollen , pollen tube , ovule , biology , gynoecium , gametophyte , pollination , botany , double fertilization , germination , pollen source , stamen , pollinator
Summary Over the past decade or so, there has been significant progress towards elucidating the molecular events occurring during pollination in flowering plants. This process involves a series of complex cellular interactions that culminates in the fusion between male and female gametes. The process also regulates crucial events such as pollen adhesion, hydration, pollen tube growth and guidance to the ovules. Additionally, in many instances, incompatibility mechanisms that control the acceptance or rejection of pollen alighting on a recipient plant play a major role in the pollination process. In this article we aim to review our current understanding of the components that are implicated in enabling the pollen to deliver the male gametes to the ovary and the molecular mechanisms by which they are thought to act.ContentsSummary 565 I. Introduction 565 II. Adhesion of pollen to the stigma 566 III. Pollen hydration 567 IV. Pollen germination and initial growth on the stigma surface 568 V. Pollen tube growth through the style and pollen tube guidance 569 VI. Control of pollen viability by incompatibility responses 5721. Self incompatibility (SI) 573Gametophytic SI 573SI in the Solanaceae 573SI in Papaver 575Sporophytic SI 577SI in Brassica 577SI in Ipomoea 5792. Interspecific incompatibility responses 579 VII. Conclusions and perspective 580References 580