Abstract
The synergid cell of flowering plants is necessary for pollen tube attraction and fertilization. We identified small secreted proteins as candidates of pollen tube attractants by EST analysis of the synergid cell of Torenia fournieri. To demonstrate that the candidates are true attractants, it is important to show that down-regulation of candidates impair pollen tube attraction. Thus we attempted to knock-down the candidate genes and to analyze the effects on pollen tube attraction. We developed a method and a device for Laser-assisted Thermal-expansion Micro-injection (LTM). Then morpholino antisense oligos (MOs) against these candidates were designed to inhibit both their translation and mRNA splicing. They were injected into the protruding embryo sac of Torenia by LTM. We will demonstrate our recent results to discuss whether the pollen tube attraction is impaired by injection of MOs or not.
