RUI: Antibodies to Flowering Plant Sperm

9305453索斯沃斯在开花植物中，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被描述，但对受精的分子机制知之甚少。植物精子嵌在花粉粒中，沿着生长中的花粉管向下移动。在卵子附近，花粉管释放出两个精子：一个与卵子融合形成胚胎，另一个与卵子附近的中心细胞融合形成胚乳，支持发育中的胚胎的生长。在植物繁殖中，一个主要的未解之谜是精子如何识别卵子或中心细胞，依附于它，并与之融合。识别分子可能在配子膜内或上面。精子细胞表面的单克隆抗体是鉴定独特精子分子的第一步。该项目的目标是：(1)通过筛选分离植物精子细胞的单克隆抗体来鉴定独特的精子膜分子；(2)让本科生参与一个开创性的研究项目。这些抗体将从用芸苔精细胞免疫小鼠的脾细胞融合中获得。这些结果将进一步加深我们对植物繁殖的基本发育机制的认识，并将导致对植物肥力和不育的基本理解。这些信息可以用来从不相容的物种中产生杂交种，并在需要雄性不育以防止自交的情况下抑制受精。通过解决问题和协助实现目标，本科生将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. ***