L. V. Kovaleva

Electrogenic activity of plasma membrane H+-ATPase in germinating male gametophyte of petunia and its stimulation by exogenous auxin: Mediatory role of calcium and reactive oxygen species

A lipophilic potential-sensitive cationic dye, safranin O was employed to examine the influence of exogenous IAA on plasma membrane electric potential in germinating pollen grains of petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) with the aim of elucidating whether the electrogenic H+-ATPase activity of the plasma membrane is sensitive to this phytohormone. The addition of IAA to pollen grains suspended in a K+-free medium was found to induce significant hyperpolarization of the plasmalemma. This effect was fully blocked by orthovanadate, Ca2+-active reagents (EGTA and verapamil), and by the inhibitor of NADPH oxidase of plasmalemma, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI). It was also strongly inhibited by the presence of K+ at centimolar concentrations in the medium. The hyperpolarizing influence of IAA was mimicked by application of hydrogen peroxide; furthermore, the H2O2-induced shift of the membrane potential was inhibited by the same agents that suppressed the IAA-induced hyperpolarization of the pollen plasmalemma. It is concluded that the IAAinduced hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane in male gametophytes of petunia is caused by the enhanced electrogenic activity of ATP-dependent proton pump in the presence of this phytohormone. It is supposed that the effect of IAA is mediated by the transient increase in cytosolic Ca2+ level and by generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Possible mechanisms underlying the mediatory role of calcium and ROS in the auxin signal transduction and the resulting stimulation of electrogenic activity of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase are discussed.

Role of auxin and cytokinin in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton in the in vitro germinating male gametophyte of petunia

Pollen tubes germinating in vitro, which has become in recent years the object of detail and intensive research, is a model for studying the mechanisms of sexual reproduction of higher plants. The potential role of the actin cytoskeleton (F-actin) in the transduction of hormonal signals in the progamic phase of fertilization was studied on in vitro germinating male gametophyte of petunia (Petunia hybrida L.). It was established for the first time that treatments with phytohormones, such as auxin (IAA) and cytokinin (kinetin), affected germination and polar growth of the pollen tubes, e.g., stimulated or inhibited these processes, and also induced the actin cytoskeleton rearrangement. The addition of IAA to nutrient medium increased the content of F-actin in the apical and subapical zones of pollen tubes and, as it is supposed, is responsible for the stimulation of their polar growth due to the intensification of the cytoplasm flow and apically directed vesicle transport. The inhibitor of actin polymerization, latrunculin B, disturbed actin cytoskeleton spatial organization, decreased the content of endogenous IAA, and, as a consequence, retarded germination and/or blocked male gametophyte polar growth. In contrast, kinetin suppressed pollen tube growth, reducing the content of polymer actin along the entire tube length. In pollen tubes germinating in the presence of latrunculin B for 4 h, the content of cytokinins was not significantly changed as compared with control. These results allow a conclusion that auxin and cytokinin are involved in the regulation of pollen tube polar growth via their effects on actin polymerization and spatial organization.

[Role of ethylene in the control of gametophyte-sporophyte interactions in the course of the progamic phase of fertilization].

We investigated dynamics of the content of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and ethylene production in male gametophyte development and germination in fertile (self-compatible and selfincompatible) and sterile clones of petunia. Fertile male gametophyte development was accompanied by two peaks of ethylene production by anther tissues. The first peak occurred during the microspore development simultaneously with the degeneration of both the tapetal tissues and the middle layers of the anther wall. The second peak coincided with dehydration and maturation of pollen grains. In the anther tissues of the sterile line of petunia, tenfold higher ethylene production was observed at the meiosis stage compared with that in fertile male gametophytes. This fact correlated with the degeneration of both microsporocytes and tapetal tissues. Exogenously applied ethylene (1–100 ppm) induced a degradation of the gametophytic generation at the meiosis stage. According to the obtained data, ethylene synthesis in germinating male gametophyte is provided by a 100-fold ACC accumulation in mature pollen grains. The male gametophyte germination, both in vitro, on the culture medium, and in vivo, on the stigma surface, was accompanied by an increase in ethylene production. Depending on the type of pollination, germination of pollen on the stigma surface and the pollen tube growth in the tissues of style were accompanied by various levels of ACC and ethylene release. The male gametophyte germination after self-compatible pollination was accompanied by higher content of ACC as compared with the self-incompatible clone, whereas, after the self-incompatible pollination, we observed a higher level of ethylene production compared with compatible pollination. For both types of pollination, ACC and ethylene were predominantly produced in the stigma tissues. Inhibitor of ethylene action, 2,5-norbornadiene (NBN), blocked both the development and germination of the male gametophyte. These results suggest that ethylene is an important factor in male gametophyte development, germination, and growth at the progamic phase of fertilization.

Ethylene synthesis in petunia stigma tissues governs the growth of pollen tubes in progamic phase of fertilization

In the pollen-pistil system of petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) self-compatible and self-incompatible clones within 7 h after self-pollination, we determined the content of ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid), the activity of two enzymes (ACC synthase and ACC oxidase), and the rate of ethylene production. Depending on the type of pollination, germination of pollen on the stigma surface and the pollen tube growth in the tissues of style were accompanied by different levels of ACC and ethylene release. The pollen-pistil system of the self-compatible clone contained twice more ACC than in the self-incompatible clone, whereas the pollen-pistil system in the self-incompatible clone produced 4–5 times more ethylene than in the self-compatible clone. For both types of pollination, ACC and ethylene were predominantly produced in the stigma tissues. The rate of ethylene production therein was 50 times greater than in the styles and ovaries, and the content of ACC was 100 times higher than in the styles and ovaries. Germination of male gametophyte after both types of pollination was accompanied by elevated ACC synthase activity (especially in the case of compatible pollination), whereas notable increase in ACC oxidase activity was manifested in growing pollen tubes after self-incompatible pollination

Auxin abolishes inhibitory effects of methylcyclopropen and amino oxyacetic acid on pollen grain germination, pollen tube growth, and the synthesis of ACC in petunia

As established by us earlier, ethylene behaves as a regulator of germination, development, and growth of male gametophyte during the progamic phase of fertilization. However, the mechanisms of the regulation of these processes remain so far unstudied. It is believed that the main factor providing variety of the ethylene responses is its interaction with other phytohormones. According to our working hypothesis, ethylene controls germination of pollen grains (PGs) and growth of pollen tubes (PTs) by interacting with auxin, which, as the available data indicate, is likely a key regulator of plant cell polarization and morphogenesis and one of the factors modulating the biosynthesis of ethylene at the level of ACC-synthase gene expression. In the present work, on germinating in vitro male gametophyte and the pollen-stigma system for petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) effects of phytohormones (ethylene and IAA) and known blockers repressing ethylene reception (1-methylcyclopropene, 1-MCP), the synthesis of ACC (amino oxyacetic acid, AOA) and transport IAA (triyodbenzoynaya acid, TYBA) on PGs germination, PTs growth and the synthesis of ACC were investigated. According to the data obtained, exogenous ethylene and IAA stimulated both PGs germination and PTs growth. 1-MCP and TYBA completely inhibited the first process, whereas IAA abolished the inhibitory action of 1-MCP and AOA on both the above processes. Etrel only partially weakened the inhibitory effect of TYBA. Examination of ACC synthesis modulation with AOA showed that IAA does not affect the level of ACC in germinating in vitro male gametophyte and nonpollinated stigmas, while this phytohormone insignificantly raised the level of ACC and abolished the inhibitory effect of AOA on its synthesis in the pollenstigma system. Pollination of stigmas with the pollen preliminarily treated with 1-MCP led to 2.5-fold decline in both the rate of PT growth and the level of ACC. At the same time, IAA abolished the inhibitory action of 1-MCP recovering the synthesis of ACC and growth of PTs to the control values. All these results, taken together, provide evidence for the interaction of the signal transduction pathways of ethylene and auxin at the level of ACC biosynthesis in the course of germination and growth of petunia male gametophyte during the progamic phase of fertilization.

Exogenous IAA and ABA stimulate germination of petunia male gametophyte by activating Ca2+-dependent K+-channels and by modulating the activity of plasmalemma H+-ATPase and actin cytoskeleton

To date, the molecular mechanisms underlying the osmoregulation of pollen grains (PGs) related to the maintenance of their water status and allowing pollen tubes (PTs) to regulate concentrations in them of osmolytes and transmembrane water transport remain to be not so far characterized. In the present work, the data on the participation of IAA and ABA in the osmoregulation of germinating in vitro petunia male gametophyte were obtained. It has been established that the growth-stimulating effect of these phytohormones is due to their action on intracellular pH (pHc), the membrane potential of plasmalemma (PM), the activity of PM H+-ATPase, K+-channels in the same membrane and organization of actin cytoskeleton (AC). Two possible targets of the action of these compounds are revealed. These are represented by (1) PM H+-ATPase, electrogenic proton pump responsible for polarization of this membrane, and (2) Ca2+-dependent K+-channels. The findings of the present work suggest that the hormone-induced pHc shift is involved in cascade of the events including the functioning of pH-dependent K+-channels. It was shown that the hormoneinduced hyperpolarization of the PM is a result of stimulation of electrogenic activity of PM H+-ATPase and the hormonal effects are mediated by transient elevation in the level of free Ca2+ in the cytosol and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The results on the role of K+ ions in the control of water-driving forces for transmembrane water transport allowed us to formulate the hypothesis that IAA and ABA stimulate germination of PGs and growth of PTs by activating K+-channels. In addition, the studies performed showed that the AC of male gametophyte is sensitive to the action of exogenous phytohormones, with to more extent to the action of IAA. As judged by the action of latrunculin B (LB) the AC may serve as the determinant of the level of endogenous phytohormones that most likely participate in the regulation of the polar growth of PTs impacting on the pool of F-actin in their apical and subapical zones.

Regulation of Petunia Pollen Tube Growth by Phytohormones: Identification of Their Potential Targets

It is known that cytoskeleton-dependent trafficking of cell wall and membrane components to apical plasma membrane (PM) coupled with ion transport across pollen PM is crucial for maintaining polar pollen tube growth. To elucidate whether plant hormones are involved in these processes, the effects of exogenous phytohormones, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin A3 (GA3) and cytokinin (kinetin) on the growth, PM polarization, actin cytoskeleton (AC) organization and cytoplasmic pH (pHc) of in vitro 4 h-growing petunia pollen tubes were investigated. IAA, ABA and GA3 displayed the growth-stimulating effects and these were accompanied by orthovanadate-sensitive hyperpolarization of the PM. Fluorescent labeling the enzyme with H-ATPase antibodies exhibited IAAand ABA-induced lateral PM redistribution of it into the subapical zone of pollen tube PM. Pollen cultivation on the medium with latrunculin B, the inhibitor of actin polymerization, resulted in inhibition of pollen tube growth and simultaneously in the drop of endogenous IAA content. The IAA-growth stimulating effect was correlated with increased content of actin filaments (AF) in both apical and subapical zones of tubes, while ABA and GA3 exerted the same effect but it was accompanied by redistributing F-actin only to apical zone. In contrast, kinetin decreased the total F-actin content and inhibited pollen tube growth. It has been shown that the рНc of growing pollen tubes is sensitive to the plant hormones. In the case of male gametophyte growing for 1, 2 and 4 h, IAA induced alkalinization of the cytosol, while ABA and GA3 exerted qualitatively similar effect only after its growth for 1 h and 4 h, respectively. Kinetin, in contrast, resulted in acidification of the cytosol. All these results, taken together, indicate, for the first time, potential targets of the phytohormone action in pollen tubes.

Role of abscisic acid and ethylene in the control of water transport-driving forces in germinating petunia male gametophyte

Data on ABA involvement in osmoregulation of in vitro germinating petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) male gametophyte were obtained. Two potential targets of ABA action in a pollen tube (PT) are identified. These are represented by (1) plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase, electrogenic proton pump participating in PM polarization, and (2) Ca-dependent K+-channels localized in the same membrane. It was established that a stimulatory effect of ABA on electrogenic activity of H+-ATPase is mediated by the increase in free Ca2+ level in the cytosol of a PT and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Based on the results obtained on the role of K+ ions in the hormonal control of water transport-driving forces in a PT, the hypothesis suggesting that ABA stimulated pollen grains (PGs) germinating and PT growth by activating K+-channels was put forward. The revealed ABA-induced shift in cytoplasmic pH (pHc) is suggested to be involved in a cascade of the events of the progamic phase of fertilization, including pH-dependent K+-channels functioning. It was established that ABA abolishes the inhibitory effects of ethylene receptors blocker, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), and blockers of ACC and ABA synthesis (aminooxyacetic acid, AOA, and fluridone, respectively) on PT germination and growth, whereas ethrel blocks the inhibitory effect of fluridone on PT growth. In stigmas pretreated with ABA and AOA before pollination, this phytohormone was found to suppress inhibitory effect of AOA on ACC synthesis in the pollen-pistil system. All these findings, taken together, led us to the conclusion that ABA is involved in petunia male gametophyte osmoregulation interacting with ethylene at the level of ACC synthesis in the progamic phase of fertilization.

ABA and IAA control microsporogenesis in Petunia hybrida L.

The formation of fertile male gametophyte is known to require timely degeneration of polyfunctional tapetum tissue. The last process caused by the programmed cell death (PCD) is a part of the anther program maturation which leads to sequential anther tissue destruction coordinated with pollen differentiation. In the present work, distribution of abscisic acid (ABA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in developing anthers of male-fertile and male-sterile lines of petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) was analyzed by using the immunohistochemical method. It was established that the development of fertile male gametophyte was accompanied by monotonous elevation of ABA and IAA levels in reproductive cells and, in contrast, their monotonous lowering in tapetum cells and the middle layers. Abortion of microsporocytes in the meiosis prophase in the sterile line caused by premature tapetum degeneration along with complete maintenance of the middle layers was accompanied by dramatic, twofold elevation in the levels of both the phytohormones in reproductive cells. The data obtained allowed us to conclude that at the meiosis stage ABA and IAA are involved in the PCD of microsporocytes.