A Receptor-Like Kinase, Related to Cell Wall Sensor of Higher Plants, is Required for Sexual Reproduction in the Unicellular Charophycean Alga, Closterium peracerosum-strigosum-littorale Complex

Naoko Hirano; Yuka Marukawa; Jun Abe; Sayuri Hashiba; Machiko Ichikawa; Yoichi Tanabe; Motomi Ito; Ichiro Nishii; Yuki Tsuchikane; Hiroyuki Sekimoto

doi:10.1093/pcp/pcv065

A Receptor-Like Kinase, Related to Cell Wall Sensor of Higher Plants, is Required for Sexual Reproduction in the Unicellular Charophycean Alga, Closterium peracerosum-strigosum-littorale Complex

Plant Cell Physiol. 2015 Jul;56(7):1456-62. doi: 10.1093/pcp/pcv065. Epub 2015 May 4.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Division of Material and Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Japan Women's University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8681 Japan.
² Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Japan Women's University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8681 Japan.
³ Department of General Systems Studies, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8902, Japan.
⁴ Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Nara Women's University, Nara, 630-8506 Japan.
⁵ Division of Material and Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Japan Women's University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8681 Japan Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Japan Women's University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8681 Japan sekimoto@fc.jwu.ac.jp.

PMID: 25941232
DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcv065

Abstract

Here, we cloned the CpRLK1 gene, which encodes a receptor-like protein kinase expressed during sexual reproduction, from the heterothallic Closterium peracerosum-strigosum-littorale complex, one of the closest unicellular alga to land plants. Mating-type plus (mt(+)) cells with knockdown of CpRLK1 showed reduced competence for sexual reproduction and formed an abnormally enlarged conjugation papilla after pairing with mt(-) cells. The knockdown cells were unable to release a naked gamete, which is indispensable for zygote formation. We suggest that the CpRLK1 protein is an ancient cell wall sensor that now functions to regulate osmotic pressure in the cell to allow proper gamete release.

Keywords: Cell wall; Charophycean alga; Closterium peracerosum–strigosum–littorale complex; CrRLK1L-1; Receptor-like kinase; Sexual reproduction.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Algal Proteins / classification
Algal Proteins / genetics*
Algal Proteins / metabolism
Amino Acid Sequence
Cell Wall / genetics
Cell Wall / metabolism
Cloning, Molecular
Closterium / genetics*
Closterium / metabolism
Closterium / physiology
DNA, Complementary / chemistry
DNA, Complementary / genetics
Gene Knockdown Techniques
Immunoblotting
Microscopy, Confocal
Molecular Sequence Data
Osmotic Pressure / physiology
Phylogeny
Plants / genetics
Plants / metabolism
Protein Kinases / classification
Protein Kinases / genetics*
Protein Kinases / metabolism
Reproduction / genetics
Reproduction / physiology
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
Time-Lapse Imaging / methods

Substances

Algal Proteins
DNA, Complementary
Protein Kinases

Associated data

GENBANK/AB920609