Pollen tube guidance by attractant molecules: LUREs

Cell Struct Funct. 2010;35(1):45-52. doi: 10.1247/csf.10003.

Abstract

Sexual reproduction in flowering plants requires pollen-tube guidance, which is thought to be mediated by chemoattractants derived from target ovules. To date, however, no convincing evidence has been reported of a particular molecule being the true attractant. Emerging data indicate that two synergid cells, which are on either side of the egg cell, emit a diffusible, species-specific signal to attract the pollen tube at the last step of pollen-tube guidance. Recently, it was demonstrated that LUREs (LURE1 and LURE2), cysteine-rich polypeptides secreted from the synergid cell, are the key molecules in pollen-tube guidance. In this review, we summarize the mechanism of pollen-tube guidance, with special focus on gametophytic guidance and the attractants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ovule / cytology
  • Ovule / metabolism
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Pollen Tube / cytology
  • Pollen Tube / growth & development*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Scrophulariaceae / anatomy & histology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Plant Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins