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Reactive oxygen species mediate pollen tube rupture to release sperm for fertilization in Arabidopsis

Author

Listed:
  • Qiaohong Duan

    (University of Massachusetts)

  • Daniel Kita

    (University of Massachusetts
    Molecular Cell Biology Program, University of Massachusetts
    Present address: Department of Vascular Biology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06030, USA)

  • Eric A. Johnson

    (University of Massachusetts
    Molecular Cell Biology Program, University of Massachusetts)

  • Mini Aggarwal

    (University of Massachusetts
    Plant Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts)

  • Laura Gates

    (University of Massachusetts
    Present address: Department of Biology, University of California, La Jolla, California 92093, USA)

  • Hen-Ming Wu

    (University of Massachusetts
    Molecular Cell Biology Program, University of Massachusetts)

  • Alice Y. Cheung

    (University of Massachusetts
    Molecular Cell Biology Program, University of Massachusetts
    Plant Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts)

Abstract

In flowering plants, sperm are transported inside pollen tubes to the female gametophyte for fertilization. The female gametophyte induces rupture of the penetrating pollen tube, resulting in sperm release and rendering them available for fertilization. Here we utilize the Arabidopsis FERONIA (FER) receptor kinase mutants, whose female gametophytes fail to induce pollen tube rupture, to decipher the molecular mechanism of this critical male–female interactive step. We show that FER controls the production of high levels of reactive oxygen species at the entrance to the female gametophyte to induce pollen tube rupture and sperm release. Pollen tube growth assays in vitro and in the pistil demonstrate that hydroxyl free radicals are likely the most reactive oxygen molecules, and they induce pollen tube rupture in a Ca2+-dependent process involving Ca2+ channel activation. Our results provide evidence for a RHO GTPase-based signalling mechanism to mediate sperm release for fertilization in plants.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiaohong Duan & Daniel Kita & Eric A. Johnson & Mini Aggarwal & Laura Gates & Hen-Ming Wu & Alice Y. Cheung, 2014. "Reactive oxygen species mediate pollen tube rupture to release sperm for fertilization in Arabidopsis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-10, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms4129
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4129
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    Cited by:

    1. Ronny Völz & William Harris & Heribert Hirt & Yong-Hwan Lee, 2022. "ROS homeostasis mediated by MPK4 and SUMM2 determines synergid cell death," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Yuebin Wang & Wenqiang Li & Luxi Wang & Jiali Yan & Gang Lu & Ning Yang & Jieting Xu & Yuqing Wang & Songtao Gui & Gengshen Chen & Shuyan Li & Chengxiu Wu & Tingting Guo & Yingjie Xiao & Marilyn L. Wa, 2022. "Three types of genes underlying the Gametophyte factor1 locus cause unilateral cross incompatibility in maize," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.

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