Pollen tube attraction by the synergid cell

Science. 2001 Aug 24;293(5534):1480-3. doi: 10.1126/science.1062429.

Abstract

In flowering plants, guidance of the pollen tube to the embryo sac (the haploid female gametophyte) is critical for successful fertilization. The target embryo sac may attract the pollen tube as the final step of guidance in the pistil. We show by laser cell ablation that two synergid cells adjacent to the egg cell attract the pollen tube. A single synergid cell was sufficient to generate an attraction signal, and two cells enhanced it. After fertilization, the embryo sac no longer attracts the pollen tube, despite the persistence of one synergid cell. This cessation of attraction might be involved in blocking polyspermy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Culture Techniques
  • Germ Cells / cytology
  • Germ Cells / physiology
  • Lasers
  • Magnoliopsida / cytology
  • Magnoliopsida / physiology*
  • Plant Structures / cytology*
  • Plant Structures / physiology*
  • Pollen / physiology*
  • Reproduction
  • Seeds / physiology
  • Ultraviolet Rays