Publication

Back to overview

A calcium dialog mediated by the FERONIA signal transduction pathway controls plant sperm delivery.

Type of publication Peer-reviewed
Publikationsform Original article (peer-reviewed)
Author Ngo Quy A, Vogler Hannes, Lituiev Dmytro S, Nestorova Anna, Grossniklaus Ueli,
Project The Genetic and Molecular Basis of Gametogenesis and Maternal Effects in Arabidopsis
Show all

Original article (peer-reviewed)

Journal Developmental cell
Volume (Issue) 29(4)
Page(s) 491 - 500
Title of proceedings Developmental cell
DOI 10.1016/j.devcel.2014.04.008

Open Access

URL http://www.cell.com/developmental-cell/fulltext/S1534-5807(14)00228-7
Type of Open Access Publisher (Gold Open Access)

Abstract

Sperm delivery for double fertilization of flowering plants relies on interactions between the pollen tube (PT) and two synergids, leading to programmed cell death (PCD) of the PT and one synergid. The mechanisms underlying the communication among these cells during PT reception is unknown. We discovered that the synergids control this process by coordinating their distinct calcium signatures in response to the calcium dynamics and growth behavior of the PT. Induced and spontaneous aberrant calcium responses in the synergids abolish the two coordinated PCD events. Components of the FERONIA (FER) signaling pathway are required for initiating and modulating these calcium responses and for coupling the PCD events. Intriguingly, the calcium signatures are interchangeable between the two synergids, implying that their fates of death and survival are determined by reversible interactions with the PT. Thus, complex intercellular interactions involving a receptor kinase pathway and calcium-mediated signaling control sperm delivery in plants.
-