Lipid metabolism, compartmentalization and signalling in the regulation of pollen tube growth

Abstract

To understand the biological context of lipid metabolism and signalling in pollen, we have to consider male gametophytes as organisms optimised for their role in sexual reproduction, but also for survival in dry conditions. While our knowledge of molecular mechanisms governing pollen development and pollen tube growth is based on the studies of a few model species (mostly Arabidopsis, tobacco, petunia and lily), important aspects of pollen development may vary substantially among species. Moreover, current understanding of pollen lipid biochemistry is rather fragmentary, since biochemically tractable amounts of pollen material are difficult to obtain, and knowledge of sporophytic lipid metabolism and signalling cannot be simply transferred to the study of male gametophytes. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.