title: Localization of the Ca(2+)-binding protein, Bra r 1, in anthers and pollen tubes.
abstract: Calcium plays an essential role during pollen development and pollen tube growth, and several Ca(2+)-binding proteins are expressed in anthers. We have previously reported that Brassica pollen allergens encoded by Bra r 1 and Bra r 2 show sequence similarities to Ca(2+)-binding proteins [Toriyama et al. (1995) Plant Mol. Biol. 29: 1157]. Herein, we report that both genes are expressed in the diploid tapetum and haploid microspores, as detected by in situ RNA hybridization. Immunoblot analysis revealed that Bra r 1 and Bra r 2 were accumulated in anthers during pollen development. When pollen grains were suspended in an aqueous solution, both proteins were mainly detected in the pollen extracellular fraction, indicating that Bra r 1 and Bra r 2 are released from the pollen upon hydration. Localization of Bra r 1 was further investigated in sections of anthers and pollen tubes. Bra r 1 was detected in the tapetum, microspores and pollen grains. In longitudinal sections of cross-pollinated pistils. Bra r 1 was detected throughout pollen tubes elongating in transmitting-tissue. These findings suggest that Bra r 1 may be involved in pollen-pistil interaction and pollen tube growth.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Toriyama
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001937:Brassica / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D017343:Genes, Plant; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011058:Pollen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins