EXO70A2 is critical for the exocyst complex function in Arabidopsis pollen

ABSTRACTPollen development, pollen grain germination and pollen tube elongation are crucial biological processes in angiosperm plants that need precise regulation to deliver sperm cells to fertilize ovules. Pollen grains undergo two major developmental switches: dehydration characterized by metabolic quiescent state, and rehydration upon pollination that leads to extraordinary metabolic and membrane trafficking activity, resulting in germination and rapid tip growth of pollen tubes. To sustain these processes, many plant housekeeping genes evolved their pollen-specific paralogs. Highly polarized secretion at a growing pollen tube tip requires the exocyst tethering complex responsible for specific targeting of secretory vesicles to the plasma membrane. Here, we describe that EXO70A2 (At5g52340) is the main exocyst EXO70 isoform in Arabidopsis pollen, which governs the conventional secretory function of the exocyst, analogically to EXO70A1 (At5g03540) in the sporophyte. Our analysis of a CRISPR-generated exo70a2 mutant revealed that EXO70A2 is essential for efficient pollen maturation, pollen grain germination and pollen tube growth. GFP:EXO70A2 was localized similarly to other exocyst subunits to the apical domain in growing pollen tube tips characterized by intensive exocytosis. Moreover, EXO70A2 could substitute for the EXO70A1 function in the sporophyte, indicating functional redundancy of these two closely related isoforms. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the ancient duplication of EXO70A to two (or more) paralogs, one of which is highly expressed in pollen, occurred independently in monocots and dicots. In summary, EXO70A2 is a crucial component of the exocyst complex in the Arabidopsis pollen required for efficient plant sexual reproduction.

Determination of Potential Pollinizer Grafted Pear Hybrids (Pyrus communis × Pyrus pyrifolia) for Subtropical Regions in Brazil

The pear tree is originally a temperate-climate fruit tree. The cross Pyrus communis × Pyrus pyrifolia generated hybrid cultivars adapted to subtropical regions. However, the low effective fruiting is a limiting factor for the expansion of pear tree crops in subtropical regions and no pollinizer plants have been identified for these cultivars in subtropical regions. This work aimed to identify possible pollinizer pear tree cultivars in subtropical regions by evaluating the stigmatic receptivity, the germination percentage, and the number of pollen grains. Seven hybrid pear cultivars were used. Flowers of each cultivar at each floral stage were collected (E, E2, F, F2, and G). The stigmatic receptivity was evaluated by immersing the material in 3% hydrogen peroxide. Flowers were collected for the quantification of anthers, pollen grains per anther and per flower, and pollen grain germination. Stigmas were 100% receptive for all cultivars at the F2 and G stages. Cultivar Cascatense showed a large number of anthers and pollen grains per anther and per flower. The highest pollen grain germination percentage was detected for Cascatense (72.75%). Cultivars Seleta and Triunfo have high stigmatic receptivity for a longer period during the flowering stage, proven to be a potential female parent. Cascatense has a higher germination percentage and a larger number of anthers per flower, pollen grains per anther, and pollen grains per flower. Cascatense has a high potential to be used as a pollinizer, both in pear tree breeding programs and commercial orchards.

Studies on hyperaccumulation of Mercury by Jussiaea repens under laboratory condition

Phytoremediation ability of plants has been a well known fact in the field of environmental toxicology. The present investigation reports the hyperaccumulating ability of aquatic plant Jussiaea repens under laboratory condition. Initiation of growth of roots of the plants in mercury contaminated water is a good morphological indication of the utilization of the mercury salt by the plant for its growth. To test the purifying potentiality of Jussiaea repens, mercury contaminated water and treated mercury contaminated water with Jussiaea repens were separately checked by in vitro pollen grain germination test. It was found that Jussiaea treated mercury-contaminated water significantly gives the higher percentage of pollen grain germination in comparison to pure mercury-contaminated water of the same concentration. Hence, Jussiaea repens can be effectively utilized for detoxification of heavy metals.

Pollen grain germination and fruit set in 'Brazilian seedless' sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate fruit set and pollen grain germination of 'Brazilian seedless' sugar apple. Two experiments were performed: 1) one in a completely randomized design with three treatments (natural and artificial pollination and self-fertilization), with three replications of 10 flowers per plot, 2) and the other in a completely randomized design with three treatments: pollen grains of a seeded wild-type, 'Brazilian seedless' and atemoya (hybrid of sugar apple and cherimoya) 'Gefner', with five replications. A fruit set of 100% was achieved by artificial pollination. No fruit formation was observed after self-fertilization. The percentage of pollen grain germination in vitro was highest for 'Brazilian seedless' (52.5%) and lowest for cultivar Gefner (5.9%). Preliminary results indicated that pollen grains of 'Brazilian seedless' are viable and that natural or artificial pollination is essential for fruit set.