Distribution of loosely-bound calcium in the vegetative and generative cells of the pollen grains in Chlorophytum elatum

We used chlorotetracycline fluorescence, alizarin staining and potassium pyroantimonate methods, as well as X-ray microanalysis, to demonstrate the differential localization of Ca2+ during pollen maturation. Level of loosely-bound Ca2+ ions was higher in the generative cell than in the vegetative cell of the mature pollen grain which is one of the symptoms of metabolic differentiation of the two sister cells.Peer reviewe

Calcium in electron-dense globoids during pollen grain maturation in Chlorophytum elatum R.Br.

9 páginas, 16 figuras.-- The original publication is available at www.springerlink.comThe localization, elemental composition and quantitative changes in insoluble, electron-dense globoids observed in the course of pollen grain development in Chlorophytum elatum R.Br. have been investigated. During pollen maturation, small electron-dense globoids were only found within larger electron-light vesicles in the cytoplasm of the vegetative cell. The number and diameter of the electron-dense globoids increased during pollen grain maturation, and decreased after pollen germination. By energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, the presence of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus was detected in these globoids. The results are discussed in the light of previous findings with regard to phytate metabolism and the role of calcium in pollen germination.This study was supported partially by Project No. PB95-0080 (DGICYT, Spain) and the "Junta de Andalucía" (GI, ref. No. 2063) with a grant to RB.Peer reviewe