Actin dynamics in papilla cells of Brassica rapa during self- and cross-pollination.

The self-incompatibility system of the plant species Brassica is controlled by the S-locus, which contains S-RECEPTOR KINASE (SRK) and S-LOCUS PROTEIN11 (SP11). SP11 binding to SRK induces SRK autophosphorylation and initiates a signaling cascade leading to the rejection of self pollen. However, the mechanism controlling hydration and germination arrest during self-pollination is unclear. In this study, we examined the role of actin, a key cytoskeletal component regulating the transport system for hydration and germination in the papilla cell during pollination. Using rhodamine-phalloidin staining, we showed that cross-pollination induced actin polymerization, whereas self-pollination induced actin reorganization and likely depolymerization. By monitoring transiently expressed green fluorescent protein fused to the actin-binding domain of mouse talin, we observed the concentration of actin bundles at the cross-pollen attachment site and actin reorganization and likely depolymerization at the self-pollen attachment site; the results correspond to those obtained by rhodamine-phalloidin staining. We further showed that the coat of self pollen is sufficient to mediate this response. The actin-depolymerizing drug cytochalasin D significantly inhibited pollen hydration and germination during cross-pollination, further emphasizing a role for actin in these processes. Additionally, three-dimensional electron microscopic tomography revealed the close association of the actin cytoskeleton with an apical vacuole network. Self-pollination disrupted the vacuole network, whereas cross-pollination led to vacuolar rearrangements toward the site of pollen attachment. Taken together, our data suggest that self- and cross-pollination differentially affect the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton, leading to changes in vacuolar structure associated with hydration and germination.

Immunohistochemical studies on translocation of pollen S-haplotype determinant in self-incompatibility of Brassica rapa.

The self-incompatibility system in Brassica is controlled by the S-locus, which contains S-receptor kinase (SRK) and S-locus protein 11 (SP11). SRK and SP11 control stigma and pollen S-haplotype specificity, respectively. SP11 binding to SRK induces the autophosphorylation of SRK, which triggers the signaling cascade that results in the rejection of self-pollen. The localization of SP11 protein during pollen development and pollination, however, have never been demonstrated. In this study, we examined the localization of S(8)-SP11 protein in the anther or pollinated stigma by immuno-electron microscopy. The immunostaining suggested that S(8)-SP11 was secreted from the tapetal cell into the anther locule as a cluster and translocated to the pollen surface at the early developmental stage of the anther. During the pollination process, SP11 was translocated from the pollen surface to the papilla cell, and then penetrated the cuticle layer of the papilla cell to diffuse across the pectin cellulose layer. Furthermore, SP11 protein could only penetrate the cuticle layer of the papilla cell in the presence of pollen grains, and could not penetrate on its own. This suggests that another factor from the pollen grain is needed for SP11 protein to penetrate the papilla cell wall.