Tip growth of pollen tubes is essential for higher plant sexual reproduction and has been proposed to be highly regulated by the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway (UPP). The dynamics of mitochondria and the functions of the UPP on mitochondrial dynamics during pollen tube development are still poorly understood. In the present study, using real-time laser scanning and transmission electron microscope, it was revealed that mitochondria in Picea wilsonii, are either ellipsoid or filamentous with various lengths. Time-lapse images indicated that the two forms of mitochondria interconvert frequently through opposite process of fusion and fission. Examination of mitochondrial morphology during four key stages of in vitro pollen tube development revealed a link between mitochondrial remodeling and the process of pollen tube elongation. We also report that MG132, a specific proteasome inhibitor, not only strongly disturbed the mitochondrial remodeling but also significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential during pollen tube development. This finding provides new insight into the function of the proteasome in tip growth of pollen tubes.
Copyright 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.