RUI: Flowering Plant Cell Surfaces: Characterization by Antibodies

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，受精的分子机制知之甚少。 植物精子嵌入花粉粒中，并沿着生长的花粉管向下移动。 在卵附近，花粉管释放出两个精子：一个与卵融合形成胚胎，另一个与卵附近的中央细胞融合形成胚乳，支持发育中的胚胎的生长。 植物繁殖中一个主要的未解问题是精子如何识别卵子和中央细胞，粘附和融合。识别分子可以位于配子膜中或配子膜上。 本计画的目标是：（1）借由筛选分离植物精细胞的抗体来鉴定精子膜抗原决定基;（2）借由差异抗体结合来研究精细胞的二型性;（3）确定精子抗原的种属特异性;（4）确定精子抗原在精子发育过程中是否改变;（5）让大学生参与一项开创性的研究计画。 这一结果将有助于进一步了解植物生殖的基本发育机制。 将对芸苔属的精子产生抗体，并将对非洲菊和百合的精子进行测试。 这些结果将导致对可育性和不育性的基本理解：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地方防止受精。 精子特异性膜分子的鉴定对未来的基因工程研究具有重要意义。本科生将获得积极的研究有价值的见解。 通过解决问题和协助实现目标，他们将获得研究经验，这将有助于他们作为科学家的发展。

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.