Pex1, a pollen-specific gene with an extensin-like domain.
We report here the identification of a pollen-specific gene from Zea mays that contains multiple Ser-(Pro)n repeats, the motif found in the cell wall-associated extensins. Sequence analysis reveals that the encoded protein has a putative globular domain at the N terminus and an extensin-like domain at the C terminus. The Pex1 (pollen extensin-like) gene is expressed exclusively in pollen, not in vegetative or female tissues, and is not induced in leaves upon wounding. We propose that the encoded protein may have a role in reproduction, either as a structural element deposited in the pollen tube wall during its rapid growth or as a sexual recognition molecule that interacts with partner molecules in the pistil.
Rubinstein
A L
AL
Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-3280, USA.
Broadwater
A H
AH
Lowrey
K B
KB
Bedinger
P A
PA
D000074183:ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011058:Pollen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid / Q000235:genetics; D012098:Reproduction; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*
D006023:Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; C005488:extensin protein, plant; D000074183:ATPases Associated with Diverse Cellular Activities; C111808:PEX1 protein, human