Single Microspore Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction: Dynamic Change of Gene Expression during Microsporogenesis

Abstract

A sensitive and reliable single microspore reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was developed that requires little sample material and only a short sampling time and ensures template preservation. We propose that the assay provides a useful tool to study not only cell-cycle related events in developing pollen but also the molecular mechanisms underlying male sterility and mutants impaired in pollen development.