How do microtubules affect deposition of cell wall polysaccharidesin the pollen tube?

Abstract

Callose is the primary polysaccharidepresent in the so-called secondarylayer of the pollen tube cell wall whilethe content of cellulose in such layer isusually lower. Despite its lower quantity,cellulose might be potentially able toestablish the growth direction of pollentubes. Microtubules have been shown toregulate the deposition of callose synthasein the distal regions of pollen tubesrelated to the synthesis of callose plugs.However, the interplay between microtubulesand cellulose synthase in the pollentube is unclear. Here, the hypotheticalrole of microtubules and microtubulebasedmotor proteins in controlling theinsertion of cellulose synthase in relationwith growth and directionality of pollentubes is discussed. © 2011 Landes Bioscience.