Evolutionarily conserved phenylpropanoid pattern on angiosperm pollen.
The male gametophyte of higher plants appears as a solid box containing the essentials to transmit genetic material to the next generation. These consist of haploid generative cells that are required for reproduction, and an invasive vegetative cell producing the pollen tube, both mechanically protected by a rigid polymer, the pollen wall, and surrounded by a hydrophobic pollen coat. This coat mediates the direct contact to the biotic and abiotic environments. It contains a mixture of compounds required not only for fertilization but also for protection against biotic and abiotic stressors. Among its metabolites, the structural characteristics of two types of phenylpropanoids, hydroxycinnamic acid amides and flavonol glycosides, are highly conserved in Angiosperm pollen. Structural and functional aspects of these compounds will be discussed.
Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Department of Cell and Metabolic Biology, Weinberg 3, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; Department of Biology, Centre for Forest Biology, University of Victoria, Station CSC, Box 3020, Victoria, BC V8W 3N5, Canada.
Christin
C
Fellenberg
Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Department of Cell and Metabolic Biology, Weinberg 3, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany. Electronic address: tvogt@ipb-halle.de.
Thomas
T
Vogt
D005075:Biological Evolution; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000378:metabolism*; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000378:metabolism*; D011058:Pollen / Q000378:metabolism*
D010649:Phenylalanine