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Evidence for the role of Ca2+ ions in tip extension in pollen tubes

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Summary

Pollen tube growth is shown to be inhibited by both suboptimal (<10−4 M) and supraoptimal (>10−3 M) Ca2+ ion concentrations. Tip extension rates are independent of Ca2+ ion concentration over the optimal range. Changes in the structure of the tips of pollen tubes after transfer to inhibitory Ca2+ ion conditions provide evidence in support of our proposed mechanism of pollen tube tip growth (J. theor. Biol.98, 15–20, 1982). It is clearly demonstrated that tip extension is controlled, not only by the rate of vesicle fusion, but also by the state of plasticity of the tip; these processes appear to be sensitive to changes in Ca2+ ion concentration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, The Queen's University of Belfast, BT7 1NN, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

    J. M. Picton & M. W. Steer

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  1. J. M. Picton
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  2. M. W. Steer
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Picton, J.M., Steer, M.W. Evidence for the role of Ca2+ ions in tip extension in pollen tubes. Protoplasma 115, 11–17 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01293575

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01293575

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