Analysis of the tip-to-base gradient of CaM in pollen tube pulsant growth using in vivo CaM-GFP system

Plant Cell Rep. 2009 Aug;28(8):1253-64. doi: 10.1007/s00299-009-0725-z. Epub 2009 Jun 18.

Abstract

Ca(2+)-CaM signaling is involved in pollen tube development. However, the distribution and function of CaM and the downstream components of Ca(2+)-CaM signal in pollen tube development still need more exploration. Here we obtained the CaM-GFP fusion protein transgenic line of Nicotiana tobacum SRI, which allowed us to monitor CaM distribution pattern in vivo and provided a useful tool to observe CaM response to various exogenous stimulations and afforded solid evidences of the essential functions of CaM in pollen tube growth. CaM-GFP fusion gene was constructed under the control of Lat52-7 pollen-specific promoter and transformed into Nicotiana tobacum SRI. High level of CaM-GFP fluorescence was detected at the germinal pores and the tip-to-base gradient of fluorescence was observed in developing pollen tubes. The distribution of CaM at apical dome had close relationship with the pulsant growth mode of pollen tubes: when CaM aggregated at the apical dome, pollen tubes stepped into growth state; When CaM showed non-polarized distribution, pollen tubes stopped growing. In addition, after affording exogenous Ca(2+), calmidazolium (antagonism of CaM) or Brefeldin A (an inhibitor of membrane trafficking), CaM turned to a uniform distribution at the apical dome and pollen tube growth was held back. Taken together, our results showed that CaM played a vital role in pollen tube elongation and growth rate, and the oscillation of tip-to-base gradient of CaM was required for the normal pulsant growth of pollen tube.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brefeldin A / pharmacology
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Signaling*
  • Calmodulin / genetics
  • Calmodulin / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Nicotiana / genetics
  • Nicotiana / growth & development
  • Nicotiana / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / growth & development
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / metabolism
  • Pollen Tube / growth & development*
  • Pollen Tube / metabolism

Substances

  • Calmodulin
  • Imidazoles
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Brefeldin A
  • calmidazolium
  • Calcium