Nitric oxide modulates the influx of extracellular Ca2+ and actin filament organization during cell wall construction in Pinus bungeana pollen tubes

New Phytol. 2009 Jun;182(4):851-862. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.02820.x. Epub 2009 Mar 30.

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in many physiological processes in plants, including pollen tube growth. Here, effects of NO on extracellular Ca(2+) flux and microfilaments during cell wall construction in Pinus bungeana pollen tubes were investigated. Extracellular Ca(2+) influx, the intracellular Ca(2+) gradient, patterns of actin organization, vesicle trafficking and cell wall deposition upon treatment with the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) or the NO scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4, 4, 5, 5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO) were analyzed. SNAP enhanced pollen tube growth in a dose-dependent manner, while L-NNA and cPTIO inhibited NO production and arrested pollen tube growth. Noninvasive detection and microinjection of a Ca(2+) indicator revealed that SNAP promoted extracellular Ca(2+) influx and increased the steepness of the tip-focused Ca(2+) gradient, while cPTIO and L-NNA had the opposite effect. Fluorescence labeling indicated that SNAP, cPTIO and L-NNA altered actin organization, which subsequently affected vesicle trafficking. Finally, the configuration and/or distribution of cell wall components such as pectins and callose were significantly altered in response to L-NNA. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy confirmed the changes in the chemical composition of walls. Our results indicate that NO affects the configuration and distribution of cell wall components in pollen tubes by altering extracellular Ca(2+) influx and F-actin organization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / drug effects
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Benzoates / pharmacology
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Cell Wall / drug effects
  • Cell Wall / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Space / drug effects
  • Extracellular Space / metabolism*
  • Germination / drug effects
  • Glucans / metabolism
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Intracellular Space / drug effects
  • Intracellular Space / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Nitric Oxide / pharmacology*
  • Nitroarginine / pharmacology
  • Pectins / metabolism
  • Pinus / drug effects
  • Pinus / metabolism*
  • Pollen Tube / cytology
  • Pollen Tube / drug effects
  • Pollen Tube / growth & development
  • Pollen Tube / metabolism*
  • Polymerization / drug effects
  • Pyridinium Compounds / metabolism
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / metabolism
  • S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine / pharmacology
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Benzoates
  • FM 4-64
  • Glucans
  • Imidazoles
  • Pyridinium Compounds
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • 1,3-dihydroxy-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4-carboxyphenyl)tetrahydroimidazole
  • Nitroarginine
  • Nitric Oxide
  • S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine
  • Pectins
  • callose
  • Calcium