Pollen

Pollen is the powder produced by the male sex organs of seed plants which contains the microgametophytes, which in turn produce the male gametes. Pollen grains have a hard coat that protects the sperm cells during their movement to the female sex organs in order to effect fertilization.

Latest Research and Reviews

Research
19 January 2022 | Open Access

Evolutionary alterations in gene expression and enzymatic activities of gibberellin 3-oxidase 1 in Oryza

The authors solve the crystal structure of OsGA3ox2 and predict that of OsGA3ox1. These enzymes catalyze the final step in the biosynthesis of gibberellin, one of the plant hormones. Evolutionary analysis combined with the new structure reveal important aspects of the OsGA3ox1’s function in plant male reproduction.
- Kyosuke Kawai
- , Sayaka Takehara
- & Miyako Ueguchi-Tanaka
Communications Biology 5, 67
Research
01 December 2021 | Open Access

Disruption of the bHLH transcription factor Abnormal Tapetum 1 causes male sterility in watermelon
- Ruimin Zhang
- , Jingjing Chang
- & Chunhua Wei
Horticulture Research 8, 258
Research | 28 June 2021

A species-specific functional module controls formation of pollen apertures

Pollen apertures, the special areas on the surfaces of pollen grains that allow pollen tube emergence, show enormous diversity of patterns across plant species. Now a species-specific module formed by two DOG1-domain proteins is identified to control the formation of pollen apertures in flowering plants.
- Byung Ha Lee
- , Rui Wang
- & Anna A. Dobritsa
Nature Plants 7, 966-978
Research
15 January 2021 | Open Access

Identification and genetic diversity analysis of a male-sterile gene (MS1) in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don)
- Yoichi Hasegawa
- , Saneyoshi Ueno
- & Yoshinari Moriguchi
Scientific Reports 11, 1496
Research | 04 January 2021

A transposon surveillance mechanism that safeguards plant male fertility during stress

MALE-ASSOCIATED ARGONAUTE-1 and -2 promote heat-induced phasiRNA production, which represses heat-activated retrotransposons and protects male fertility. This activity is regulated by heat-mediated hypophosphorylation of the Argonaute proteins.
- Yang-Seok Lee
- , Robert Maple
- & Jose Gutierrez-Marcos
Nature Plants 7, 34-41
Research
27 November 2020 | Open Access

Reproductive phasiRNAs regulate reprogramming of gene expression and meiotic progression in rice

21-nucleotide phased secondary siRNAs are expressed in the developing rice anthers during meiosis. Here, the authors show that phasiRNAs can cleave target mRNA and act to ensure the progression of meiosis and fertility in rice.
- Yu-Chan Zhang
- , Meng-Qi Lei
- & Yue-Qin Chen
Nature Communications 11, 6031

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News and Comment

News & Views | 17 December 2018

The makeup of a gamete space capsule

Sporopollenin, which encapsulates gametes in spore and pollen grains, is probably the most chemically inert biopolymer. This inertness is essential for gamete protection, but also hinders the elucidation of sporopollenin molecular structure. Now, the macromolecular network forming sporopollenin is described in unprecedented detail.
- Paula Guzmán-Delgado
- & Maciej A. Zwieniecki
Nature Plants 5, 8
Research Highlights | 04 June 2018

Calcium channel helpers
- Guillaume Tena
Nature Plants 4, 318
Comments & Opinion | 07 February 2017

The first 100 years of pollen analysis

In 1916, Swedish geologist Ernst Jakob Lennart von Post delivered a provocative lecture in Oslo, Norway, advocating the use of pollen grains in bog sediments as indicators of past vegetation and climate. The lecture spawned many applications and represents a landmark in multidisciplinary science.
- Kevin J. Edwards
- , Ralph M. Fyfe
- & Stephen T. Jackson
Nature Plants 3, 17001
Research Highlights | 01 September 2015

Palaeontology: Olden daisies
- Chris Surridge
Nature Plants 1, 15135
Research Highlights | 07 July 2015

Hybrid vigour: Infertility rescue
- Christopher Surridge
Nature Plants 1, 15102
Research Highlights | 02 March 2011

More sneezing in a warmer world

Nature 471, 8

All News & Comment

Pollen

Latest Research and Reviews

Evolutionary alterations in gene expression and enzymatic activities of gibberellin 3-oxidase 1 in Oryza

Disruption of the bHLH transcription factor Abnormal Tapetum 1 causes male sterility in watermelon

A species-specific functional module controls formation of pollen apertures

Identification and genetic diversity analysis of a male-sterile gene (MS1) in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don)

A transposon surveillance mechanism that safeguards plant male fertility during stress

Reproductive phasiRNAs regulate reprogramming of gene expression and meiotic progression in rice

News and Comment

The makeup of a gamete space capsule

Calcium channel helpers

The first 100 years of pollen analysis

Palaeontology: Olden daisies

Hybrid vigour: Infertility rescue

More sneezing in a warmer world

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