Potassium flux in the pollen tubes was essential in plant sexual reproduction

Abstract

Potassium channels are controlling K+ transport across plasma membrane and thus playing a central role in all aspects of osmolarity as well as numerous other functions in plants, including in sexual reproduction. We have used whole-cell and single-channel patchclamp recording techniques investigated the regulation of intracellular free Ca 2+- activated outward K + channels in Pyrus pyrifolia pollen tube protoplasts. We have also showed the channels could be inhibited by heme and activated carbon monoxide (CO). In the presence of oxygen and NADPH, hemoxygenases catalyzes heme degradation, producing biliverdin, iron and CO. Considered the oxygen concentration approaching zero in the ovary, the heme will inhibit the K+ outward flux from the intracellular of pollen tube, increasing the pollen tubes osmolarity, inducing pollen tube burst. Here we discuss the putative role of K+ channels in plant sexual reproduction. © 2011 Landes Bioscience.