Pollen tube growth regulation by free anions depends on the interaction between the anion channel SLAH3 and calcium-dependent protein kinases CPK2 and CPK20

Plant Cell. 2013 Nov;25(11):4525-43. doi: 10.1105/tpc.113.118463. Epub 2013 Nov 26.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anions / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / growth & development
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • Ion Channels / genetics
  • Ion Channels / metabolism*
  • Mesophyll Cells / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Nicotiana / genetics
  • Nicotiana / metabolism
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Pollen Tube / growth & development*
  • Pollen Tube / metabolism
  • Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Xenopus laevis

Substances

  • Anions
  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Ion Channels
  • SLAH3 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Protein Kinases
  • calcium-dependent protein kinase
  • calcium-dependent protein kinase 2, Arabidopsis thaliana
  • calcium-dependent protein kinase 20, Arabidopsis thaliana
  • Calcium