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Expression of arabinogalactan protein genes in pollen tubes of Arabidopsis thaliana

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Abstract

The expression of “classical” arabinogalactan protein genes in pollen tubes of Arabidopsis thaliana was characterized by RT-PCR. Transcripts of Agp6 and Agp11 were consistently found to be more abundant in pollen tubes and seem to be pollen-specific. Transcripts of other AGP genes were also detected in pollen but in lesser amounts and in a non-specific fashion. Two reference genes, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9 and tubulin beta-4 chain, were evaluated and selected for gene expression studies in pollen. Expression characterization was complemented with immunolocalization studies using monoclonal antibodies specific to several glycosidic epitopes of AGPs. These studies were performed on in vitro germinated pollen tubes with the antibodies MAC207 and LM2. MAC207 produced labelling at the tip of the pollen tube, while LM2 produced a ring-like fluorescence around the emerging region of the tube, suggesting a role of AGPs during Arabidopsis pollen tube germination. To our knowledge, this is the first report establishing the presence of AGPs on Arabidopsis pollen tubes.

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Abbreviations

AGP:

Arabinogalactan protein

Mab:

Monoclonal antibody

RT-PCR:

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr. Keith Roberts (John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK) and Dr. Paul Knox (Centre for Plant Sciences, University of Leeds, UK) for supplying anti-AGP monoclonal antibodies and to Paula Sampaio and Júlio Borlido for their invaluable assistance with image processing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, R. Campo Alegre 823, Porto, Portugal

    Luís Gustavo Pereira, Sílvia Coimbra, Hugo Oliveira, Lionel Monteiro & Mariana Sottomayor

  2. Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Luís Gustavo Pereira, Sílvia Coimbra & Mariana Sottomayor

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  1. Luís Gustavo Pereira
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  2. Sílvia Coimbra
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  3. Hugo Oliveira
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  4. Lionel Monteiro
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  5. Mariana Sottomayor
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Correspondence to Luís Gustavo Pereira.

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Pereira, L.G., Coimbra, S., Oliveira, H. et al. Expression of arabinogalactan protein genes in pollen tubes of Arabidopsis thaliana . Planta 223, 374–380 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-005-0137-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-005-0137-4

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