RUI: Flowering Plant Cell Surfaces: Characterization by Antibodies

RUI：开花植物细胞表面：抗体表征

• 批准号: 9418178
• 负责人: Darlene Southworth
• 金额: $ 17.99万
• 依托单位: Southern Oregon University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1995
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1995-01-15 至 1998-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9418178&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RUI; Flowering; Plant; Cell; Surfaces

In flowering plants, the process of fertilization underlies production of seeds and fruits. Although structural events of double fertilization have been described, little is known about molecular mechanisms of fertilization. Plant sperm are embedded in pollen grains and move down growing pollen tubes. Near the egg, a 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 endosperm that supports growth of the developing embryo. A major unanswered question in plant reproduction is how sperm recognize eggs and central cells, adhere, and fuse. Recognition molecules may be located in or on gamete membranes. The goals of this project are to: (1) identify sperm membrane epitopes by screening antibodies to isolated plant sperm cells; (2) investigate sperm cell dimorphism by differential antibody binding; (3) determine the species specificity of sperm antigens; (4) determine whether sperm antigens change during sperm development; and (5) involve undergraduates in a pioneering research project. The results will further understanding of basic developmental mechanisms that function in plant reproduction. Antibodies will be raised to sperm of Brassica and will be tested on sperm of Gerbera and Lilium. The results will lead to a basic understanding of fertility and sterility: producing hybrids from incompatible species and preventing fertilization where male sterility is needed to prevent selfcrossing. The identity of sperm-specific membrane molecules will be valuable for future genetic engineering studies. Undergraduate students will gain valuable insight into active research. By solving problems and assisting in attainment of goals, they will gain research experience which will facilitate their development as scientists.

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，但对受精的分子机制知之甚少。植物精子嵌入到花粉粒中，沿着不断生长的花粉管向下移动。在卵子附近，花粉管释放两个精子：一个与卵子融合形成胚胎，另一个与靠近卵子的中央细胞融合形成胚乳，支持发育中的胚胎的生长。植物繁殖中的一个主要悬而未决的问题是精子如何识别卵子和中央细胞，如何粘连和融合。识别分子可以位于配子膜内或配子膜上。该项目的目标是：(1)通过筛选针对分离的植物精子细胞的抗体来识别精子膜表位；(2)通过差异抗体结合来研究精子细胞的二型性；(3)确定精子抗原的物种特异性；(4)确定精子抗原在精子发育过程中是否发生变化；以及(5)让本科生参与一个开创性的研究项目。这些结果将进一步了解在植物繁殖中起作用的基本发育机制。抗体将被提升到甘蓝属植物的精子上，并将在非洲菊和百合的精子上进行试验。这些结果将导致对生育和不育的基本理解：用不亲和的物种产生杂交后代，并在需要雄性不育以防止自交的地方防止受精。精子特异性膜分子的识别对未来的基因工程研究将是有价值的。本科生将获得对积极研究的宝贵见解。通过解决问题和帮助实现目标，他们将获得有助于他们发展为科学家的研究经验。