Structural and molecular basis of pollen germination

Wei Zhao; Quancan Hou; Yuchen Qi; Suowei Wu; Xiangyuan Wan

doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108042

Structural and molecular basis of pollen germination

Plant Physiol Biochem. 2023 Oct:203:108042. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108042. Epub 2023 Sep 16.

Authors

Wei Zhao¹, Quancan Hou², Yuchen Qi¹, Suowei Wu³, Xiangyuan Wan⁴

Affiliations

¹ Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing, 100083, China.
² Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing, 100083, China; Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Beijing, 100083, China.
³ Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing, 100083, China; Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Beijing, 100083, China; Beijing Engineering Laboratory of Main Crop Bio-Tech Breeding, Beijing Solidwill Sci-Tech Co. Ltd., Beijing, 100192, China. Electronic address: suoweiwu@ustb.edu.cn.
⁴ Research Institute of Biology and Agriculture, Shunde Innovation School, University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), Beijing, 100083, China; Zhongzhi International Institute of Agricultural Biosciences, Beijing, 100083, China; Beijing Engineering Laboratory of Main Crop Bio-Tech Breeding, Beijing Solidwill Sci-Tech Co. Ltd., Beijing, 100192, China. Electronic address: wanxiangyuan@ustb.edu.cn.

PMID: 37738868
DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108042

Abstract

Pollen germination is a prerequisite for double fertilization of flowering plants. A comprehensive understanding of the structural and molecular basis of pollen germination holds great potential for crop yield improvement. The pollen aperture serves as the foundation for most plant pollen germination and pollen aperture formation involves the establishment of cellular polarity, the formation of distinct membrane domains, and the precise deposition of extracellular substances. Successful pollen germination requires precise material exchange and signal transduction between the pollen grain and the stigma. Recent cytological and mutant analysis of pollen germination process in Arabidopsis and rice has expanded our understanding of this biological process. However, the overall changes in germination site structure and energy-related metabolites during pollen germination remain to be further explored. This review summarizes and compares the recent advances in the processes of pollen aperture formation, pollen adhesion, hydration, and germination between eudicot Arabidopsis and monocot rice, and provides insights into the structural basis and molecular mechanisms underlying pollen germination process.

Keywords: Adhesion; Hydration; Pollen aperture; Pollen germination; Zwischenkörper.

Publication types

Review