RUI: Antibodies to Flowering Plant Sperm

小行星9305453 在开花植物中，受精过程是种子和果实产生的基础。 虽然双受精的结构事件已经被描述，但对双受精的结构事件知之甚少。 受精的分子机制 植物精子嵌入花粉粒中，并沿着生长中的花粉管向下移动。 靠近卵时，花粉管释放出两个精子：一个与卵融合形成胚，另一个与卵相邻的中央细胞融合形成胚乳，支持胚乳的生长。 胚胎发育 植物繁殖中一个尚未解决的主要问题是精子如何识别卵子或中央细胞，粘附在上面，并与之融合。识别分子可能在配子膜内或配子膜上。 针对精子细胞表面的单克隆抗体是识别独特精子分子的第一步。 本计画的目标是：（1）借由筛选单克隆抗体来鉴定植物精子细胞膜的独特分子;（2）让大学生参与一项开创性的研究计画。 抗体将从用来自芸苔属的精子细胞免疫的小鼠的脾细胞的融合物获得。 这些结果将进一步加深我们对植物繁殖中基本发育机制的认识，并将导致对植物育性和不育性的基本理解。 这些信息可用于从不相容物种产生杂交种，并在需要雄性不育以防止自交的情况下抑制受精。 本科生将通过解决问题和协助实现目标来获得对积极研究的宝贵见解。 研究经验将促进他们作为科学家的发展。 ***

9305453 Southworth In flowering plants, the process of fertilization underlies production of seeds and fruits. Although the structural events of double fertilization have been described, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of fertilization. Plant sperm are embedded in pollen grains and move down the growing pollen tubes. Near the egg, the pollen tube releases two sperm: one fuses with the egg to form the embryo, the other fuses with the central cell adjacent to the egg to form the endosperm that supports growth of the developing embryo. A major unanswered question in plant reproduction is how the sperm recognizes the egg or central cell, adheres to it, and fuses with it. Recognition molecules may be in or on gamete membranes. Monoclonal antibodies to sperm cell surfaces are the first step in identifying unique sperm molecules. The goals of this project are (1) to identify unique sperm membrane molecules by screening monoclonal antibodies to isolated plant sperm cells and (2) to involve undergraduates in a pioneering research project. The antibodies will be obtained from fusions of splenocyte of mice immunized with sperm cells from Brassica. The results will further our knowledge of basic developmental mechanisms that function in plant reproduction and will lead to a basic understanding of fertility and sterility in plants. Such information can be used to produce hybrids from incompatible species and inhibit fertilization where male sterility is required to prevent self-crossing. Undergraduate students will gain valuable insight into active research by solving problems and assisting in attainment of goals. The research experience will facilitate their development as scientists. ***