Conserved features of germination and polarized cell growth: a few insights from a pollen-fern spore comparison.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The germination of both pollen and fern spores results in the emergence of a cell-pollen tube from pollen, rhizoid from spore-that grows in a polar fashion, primarily at its apical end. In both of these tip-growing cells, the delivery of secretory vesicles to the growing end is guided in part by a calcium gradient, with calcium entering at the tip where it is most highly concentrated. The similarities between the two systems extend beyond tip-focused calcium gradients to encompass signalling pathways and elements including calmodulin, nitric oxide, annexins and Rop-GTPases.

Scope and aims

This review is limited to those pathways and elements that function similarly in fern and pollen systems based on currently available evidence. The aim is to illustrate the commo

SUBMITTER: Bushart TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2802967 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature