Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Immunogold localization of arabinogalactan proteins, unesterified and esterified pectins in pollen grains and pollen tubes ofNicotiana tabacum L.

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Protoplasma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The monoclonal antibodies JIM 5 (against unesterified pectin), JIM 7 (against methyl esterified pectin), MAC 207 (against arabinogalactan proteins, AGPs), and JIM 8 (against a subset of AGPs) were utilized singly or in combinations for immunogold labelling of germinated pollen grains and pollen tubes ofNicotiana tabacum. Pectins were localized in the inline of pollen grain, unesterified pectin being more abundant than the esterified one. AGPs were co-localized with pectin in the inline, but were present preferably close to the plasma membrane. In pollen tubes, AGPs, unesterified and esterified pectins were co-localized in the outer and middle layers of the cell wall. The density of the epitopes was not uniform along the length of the pollen tube, but showed alterations. In the pollen tube tip wall esterified pectin was abundantly present, but not AGPs. In the cytoplasm esterified pectin and AGPs were detected in Golgi derived vesicles, indicating their role in the pathway of the cell wall precursors. In the “cell wall” of generative cell only AGPs, but no pectins were localized. The co-localization of pectins and AGPs in the cell wall of pollen grain and pollen tube might play an important role, not only in maintenance of the cell shape, but also in cell-cell interaction during pollen tube growth and development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

AGP:

arabinogalactan protein

BSA:

bovine serum albumin

GA:

glutaraldehyde

MAb:

monoclonal antibody

NGS:

normal goat serum

PFA:

paraformaldehyde

References

  • Anderson MA, Harris PJ, Bonig I, Clarke A (1987) Immunogold localization of α-L-arabinofuranosyl residues in pollen tubes ofNicotiana alata Link et Otto. Planta 171: 438–442

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin TC, McCann MC, Roberts K (1993) A novel hydroxyproline-deficient arabinogalactan protein secreted by suspension-culture cells ofDaucus carota. Plant Physiol 103: 115–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Brewbaker JL, Kwack BH (1963) The essential role of calcium ion on pollen germination and pollen tube growth. Amer J Bot 50: 859–865

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpita NC, Gibeaut DM (1993) Structural models of primary cell walls in flowering plants: consistency of molecular structure with the physical properties of the walls during growth. Plant J 31: 1–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Cresti M, Tiezzi A (1990) Germination and pollen tube formation. In: Blackmore S, Knox RB (eds) Microspores: evolution and ontogeny. Academic Press, London, pp 239–263

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Ciampolini F, Mulcahy DLM, Mulcahy G (1985) Ultrastructure ofNicotiana alata pollen, its germination and early tube formation. Amer J Bot 72: 719–727

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Lancelle SA, Hepler PK (1987) Structure of the generative cell wall complex after freeze substitution in pollen tubes ofNicotiana and Impatiens. J Cell Sci 88: 373–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Dashek WV, Rosen WG (1966) Electron microscopical localization of chemical components in the zone of lily pollen tubes. Protoplasma 61: 192–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Du H, Simpson RJ, Moritz RL, Clarke AE, Bacic A (1994) Isolation of the protein backbone of an arabinogalactan-protein from the styles ofNicotiana alata and characterization of corresponding cDNA. Plant Cell 6: 1643–1653

    Google Scholar 

  • Geitmann A, Li YQ, Cresti M (1995) Ultrastructural immunolocalization of periodic pectin depositions in the cell wall ofNicotiana tabacum pollen tubes. Protoplasma 187: 168–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibeaut DM, Carpita NC (1993) Synthesis of (1→3) (l→4)-β-D-glucan in the Golgi apparatus of maize coleoptiles. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99: 3850–3854

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant GT, Morris ER, Rees DA, Smith PJC, Thom D (1973) Biological interactions between polysaccharides divalent cations: the egg-box model. FEBS Lett 32: 195–198

    Google Scholar 

  • Herman EM, Lamb CJ (1992) Arabinogalactan-rich glycoproteins are localized on the cell surface and in intravacuolar multivesicular bodies. Plant Physiol 98: 264–272

    Google Scholar 

  • Heslop-Harrison J (1987) Pollen germination and pollen-tube growth. Int Rev Cytol 107: 1–78

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Heslop-Harrison Y (1982) The growth of the grass pollen tube. 1. Characteristics of the polysaccharide particles (“P-particles”) associated with apical growth. Protoplasma 112: 71–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis MC (1984) Structure and properties of pectin gels in plant cell walls. Plant Cell Environ 7: 153–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Kauss H, Hassid WZ (1967) Enzymic introduction of the methyl ester groups of pectin. J Biol Chem 242: 3449–3453

    Google Scholar 

  • Knox JP, Linstead PJ, King J, Cooper C, Roberts K (1990) Pectin esterification is spatially regulated both within cell walls and between developing tissues of root apices. Planta 181: 512–521

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Linstead PJ, Peart J, Cooper C, Roberts K (1991) Developmentally regulated epitopes of cell surface arabinogalactan-proteins and their relation to root tissue pattern formation. Plant J 1: 317–326

    Google Scholar 

  • Li YQ, Bruun L, Pierson ES, Cresti M (1992) Periodic deposition of arabinogalactan epitopes in the cell wall of pollen tubes ofNicotiana tabacum L. Planta 158: 422–427

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Chen F, Linskens HF, Cresti M (1994) Distribution of unesterified and esterified pectins in cell walls of pollen tubes of flowering plants. Sex Plant Reprod 7: 145–152

    Google Scholar 

  • Linskens HF (1967) Pollen. Encycl Plant Physiol 18: 368–406

    Google Scholar 

  • Mascarehas JP (1993) Molecular mechanism of pollen tube growth and differentiation. Plant Cell 5: 1303–1314

    Google Scholar 

  • McCann MC, Wells B, Roberts K (1992) Complexity in the spatial localization and length distribution of plant cell-wall matrix polysaccharides. J Microsc 166: 123–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohnen D, Hahn MG (1993) Cell wall carbohydrates as signals in plants. Sem Cell Biol 4: 93–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore PJ, Staehelin LA (1988) Immunogold localization of the cell-wall-matrix polysaccharides rhamnogalacturonan I and xyloglucan during cell expansion and cytokinesis inTrifolium pratense L.; implication for secretory pathways. Planta 174: 433–445

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Swords KMM, Lynch MA, Staehelin LA (1991) Spatial organization of the assembly pathways of glycoproteins and complex polysaccharides in the Golgi apparatus of plants. J Cell Biol 112: 589–602

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris ER, Powell DA, Gidley MJ, Rees DA (1982) Conformations and interactions of pectins. I. Polymorphism between gel and solid states of calcium polygalacturonate. J Mol Biol 155: 507–616

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura S, Miki-Hiroshige H (1985) Fine-structural study on the formation of the generative cell wall and intine layer in a growing pollen grain ofLilium longiflorum. Amer J Bot 72: 365–375

    Google Scholar 

  • Owens SJ, Westmuckett AD (1983) The structure and development of the generative cell wall inGibasis, Karwinskyana, G. venustula andTradescantia blossfeldiana (Commelinaceae). In: Mulcahy DL, Ottaviano E (eds) Pollen: biology and implications for plant breeding. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 149–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Pennell RI, Roberts K (1990) Sexual development in the pea is presaged by altered expression of arabinogalactan protein. Nature 344: 547–549

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Knox JP, Scofield GN, Selvandran RR, Roberts K (1989) A family of abundant plasma membrane associated glycoproteins related to the arabino-galactan proteins is unique to flowering plants. J Cell Biol 108: 1967–1977

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Janniche L, Kiellbom P, Scofield GN, Peart JM, Roberts K (1991) Developmental regulation of a plasma membrane arabinogalactan protein epitope in oilseed rape flowers. Plant Cell 3: 1317–1326

    Google Scholar 

  • Powell DA, Morris ER, Gidley MJ, Rees DA (1982) Conformation and function of pectins. II. Influence on chain association in calcium pectate gels. J Mol Biol 155: 517–521

    Google Scholar 

  • Rae AL, Harris PJ, Bacic A, Clarke AE (1985) Composition of the cell walls ofNicotiana alata Link et Otto pollen tubes. Planta 166: 128–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Sassen MMA, Kroh M (1974) The “cell wall” around the generative cell. Acta Bot Neerl 23: 354–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Southworth D, Salvatici P, Cresti M (1994) Freeze fracture of membranes at the interface between vegetative and generative cell inAmaryllis pollen. Int J Plant Sci 155: 538–544

    Google Scholar 

  • Steer MW, Steer JM (1989) Pollen tube tip growth. New Phytol 111: 323–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Aelst AC, Van Went JL (1992) Ultrastructural immuno-localization of pectins and glycoproteins inArabidopsis thaliana pollen grains. Protoplasma 168: 14–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Amstel ANM (1994) Construction of plant cell walls, the significance of cellulose and callose in plant cell development. PhD Thesis, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, Den Haag

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Cutsem P, Messiaen J (1994) Biological effects of pectic fragments in plant cells. Acta Bot Neerl 43: 231–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Woude WJ, Morré DJ, Bracker CE (1971) Isolation and characterization of secretory vesicles in germinated pollen ofLilium longiflorum. J Cell Sci 8: 331–351

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang GF, Staehelin LA (1992) Functional compartmentation of the Golgi apparatus of plant cells. Plant Physiol 99: 1070–1083

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Università-di Siena, Via P. A. Mattioli 4, I-53100, Siena, Italy

    Yi -Qin Li, Claudia Faleri, Anja Geitmann, Hong -Qi Zhang & Mauro Cresti

Authors
  1. Yi -Qin Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Claudia Faleri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anja Geitmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hong -Qi Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mauro Cresti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Li, Y.Q., Faleri, C., Geitmann, A. et al. Immunogold localization of arabinogalactan proteins, unesterified and esterified pectins in pollen grains and pollen tubes ofNicotiana tabacum L.. Protoplasma 189, 26–36 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01280289

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01280289

Keywords

Search

Navigation