Lipid Composition of Arabidopsis thaliana Pollen

Abstract

Lipid bodies; Lipid droplets; Oil bodies Definition Pollen grains the desiccated transportable form of the male gametophyte of higher land plants. Pollen coat a lipid rich layer surrounding the pollen grain.

Comprehensive analysis of glycerolipid dynamics during tobacco pollen germination and pollen tube growth

“…We demonstrated a tremendous diversity in glycerolipid composition during the pollen hydration, germination, and elongation of the emerged pollen tube. While the lipid composition of dry pollen, which includes a mixture of unique galactolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and sterols, is well established across many plant species ( Bashir et al., 2013 ; Ischebeck, 2016 ), the studies focused on the dynamical lipidome changes in non-stress conditions are still scarce ( Dorne et al., 1988 ). Our data highlight the (apparent) importance of the pollen germination phase, which is often skipped or overlooked in functional pollen studies, especially those concerned with membrane-related processes.…”

“…They provide ready-to-use material and the energy source for rapid membrane production and remodeling during germination and elongation of pollen tubes. It has been estimated that a pollen tube with a diameter of 10 μm would require around 2-3 pmol (corresponding to ~2 ng) of membrane lipids for each cm of length for the tonoplast and the plasma membrane alone ( Ischebeck, 2016 ). All lipid classes, including sphingolipids, glycerophospholipids, galactolipids, triacylglycerols, sterols, and waxes, are present in pollen, where they are subject to tight regulation ( Žárský et al., 2006 ; Ischebeck, 2016 ).…”