Abstract
Pollen grain is a unique haploid organism characterized by two key physiological processes: activation of metabolism upon exiting dormancy and polar tube growth. In gymnosperms and flowering plants, these processes occur in different time frames and exhibit important features; identification of similarities and differences is still in the active phase. In angiosperms, the growth of male gametophyte is directed and controlled by its microenvironment, while in gymnosperms it is relatively autonomous. Recent reviews have detailed aspects of interaction between angiosperm female tissues and pollen such as interactions between peptides and their receptors; however, accumulated evidence suggests low-molecular communication, in particular, through ion exchange and ROS production, equally important for polar growth as well as for pollen germination. Recently, it became clear that ROS and ionic currents form a single regulatory module, since ROS production and the activity of ion transport systems are closely interrelated and form a feedback loop.
Highlights
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant tissues are a universal regulatory element associated with various signaling systems, such as phospholipids, calcium, and ROP (Rho of plants) GTPases
A lot of attention is paid to the interactions of peptides with their receptors which provide the control of pollen tube growth by female tissues [8]
The ability of pollen grains to respond to changes in ionic environment was discovered around 45 years ago [9], and recently, it became clear that ROS and ionic currents form a single regulatory system, since ROS production and the activity of ion transporters are tightly interrelated [10,11]
Summary
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant tissues are a universal regulatory element associated with various signaling systems, such as phospholipids, calcium, and ROP (Rho of plants) GTPases. Many studies have focused on the interaction (1) between gametophytes and (2) of male gametophyte with female tissues of sporophyte [5,6,7]. In this case, regulatory factors found in vitro are tested for in vivo efficacy, mainly using genetic approach and improved fluorescence techniques. A lot of attention is paid to the interactions of peptides with their receptors which provide the control of pollen tube growth by female tissues [8]. The accumulated evidence suggests low-molecular communication between sporophyte tissues and pollen, in particular, through ion exchange and production of ROS [6,7]. The ability of pollen grains to respond to changes in ionic environment was discovered around 45 years ago [9], and recently, it became clear that ROS and ionic currents form a single regulatory system, since ROS production and the activity of ion transporters are tightly interrelated [10,11]
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