Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Muhammad Jamshed, Neil M. N. Hickerson, Subramanian Sankaranarayanan, Marcus A. Samuel
Summary: Exciting new research reveals the interaction between stigmatic receptors for recognizing self-incompatible pollen and the FERONIA pathway, which regulates the production of stigmatic reactive oxygen species to establish barriers against self-, intra- and interspecific pollen.
Article
Plant Sciences
Rowan Herridge, Tyler McCourt, Jeanne M. E. Jacobs, Peter Mace, Lynette Brownfield, Richard Macknight
Summary: Self-incompatibility is a characteristic of flowering plants, and grasses have a unique two-locus system to control self-recognition. By analyzing genome data from ryegrass and other grass species, it was found that DUF247 genes and SP/ZP genes are present at the S and Z loci in self-incompatibility species, acting as male and female components. These genes are highly variable, but key secondary structure features are conserved. The time of formation of specificity groups is related to the divergence of grass subfamilies.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Hira Singh, Bhallan Singh Sekhon, Pradeep Kumar, Rajinder Kumar Dhall, Ruma Devi, Tarsem Singh Dhillon, Suman Sharma, Anil Khar, Ramesh Kumar Yadav, Bhoopal Singh Tomar, Theodora Ntanasi, Leo Sabatino, Georgia Ntatsi
Summary: To address challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and population growth, the development of hybrid vegetable crops is crucial. Genetic mechanisms like self-incompatibility, male sterility, and gynoecism play a vital role in reducing costs and streamlining hybrid seed production. This review focuses on elucidating processes related to floral characteristics, genetic regulation, pollen biology, and development, with specific attention to masculine and feminine traits in cucurbits and hybridization approaches for biofortification. It also provides insights into biotechnological advancements and their future use in major vegetable crops' genetic systems.
Review
Plant Sciences
Ludi Wang, Dmitry A. Filatov
Summary: Hybridisation between different species can result in maladapted or nonviable offspring due to genetic incompatibilities. Mating with close relatives or self-fertilisation can lead to inbreeding depression. Therefore, organisms need to carefully choose their mating partners to avoid both of these problems. In plants, pollen-pistil interactions play a crucial role in avoiding inbreeding and hybridisation with other species. This review focuses on the mechanisms of pollen-pistil interactions and their importance in maintaining species integrity.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lei Wu, Xing Liu, Ming-Yue Zhang, Kai-Jie Qi, Xue-Ting Jiang, Jia-Long Yao, Shao-Ling Zhang, Chao Gu
Summary: Through transcriptome and real-time PCR analyses, two leucine-rich repeat extensin genes, PbLRXA2.1 and PbLRXA2.2, were identified in pear. These genes were found to be significantly upregulated in pollen grains and pollen tubes of the self-compatible cultivar, 'Jinzhui', compared to the self-incompatible cultivar, 'Yali'. PbLRXA2.1 and PbLRXA2.2 promoted pollen tube growth and attenuated the inhibitory effects of self S-RNase, indicating their involvement in the loss of self-incompatibility. The promoters of these two genes were directly bound by the ABRE-binding factor PbABF.D.2, and knockdown of PbABF.D.2 inhibited pollen tube growth. Additionally, self S-RNase repressed the expression of PbLRXA2.1, PbLRXA2.2, and PbABF.D.2, suggesting its role in arresting pollen tube growth by restricting the PbABF.D.2-PbLRXA2.1/PbLRXA2.2 signal cascade.
Article
Horticulture
Leynar Leyton Naranjo, Carol D. Robacker
Summary: Despite a long history of cultivation, few cultivars of Abelia are available due to self-incompatibility and crossing barriers with other species. This study investigated the self-incompatibility systems in Abelia and Vesalea, as well as the pollen nuclei in Abelia and Diabelia. In addition, in vitro pollen germination and nucleus evaluation were conducted in Abelia and Diabelia.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Anita Cisternas-Fuentes, Roslynn Dwyer, Nicole Johnson, Lindsay Finnell, Jeffrey Gilman, Matthew H. Koski
Summary: Through observations on Argentina anserina, it was found that incompatible pollen could germinate on the stigma but pollen tubes were arrested in the style, indicating that pollen quality limitation had a stronger impact than pollen quantity. Compared to self-compatible species, self-incompatible species experienced greater pollen quality limitation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chao Tang, Peng Wang, Xiaoxuan Zhu, Kaijie Qi, Zhihua Xie, Hao Zhang, Xiaoqiang Li, Hongru Gao, Tingting Gu, Chao Gu, Shan Li, Barend H. J. de Graaf, Shaoling Zhang, Juyou Wu
Summary: Self-incompatibility (SI) in flowering plants is a genetic system that prevents self-fertilization. In pear, incompatible pollen tubes show swelling at their tips, which is mediated by acetylation of the soluble inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPA) PbrPPA5. Acetylated PbrPPA5 accumulates in the nucleus and forms a transcriptional repression complex with the transcription factor PbrbZIP77 to inhibit the expression of the PME gene PbrPME44.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mitsukazu Sakata, Noriko Takano-Kai, Yuta Miyazaki, Hiroyuki Kanamori, Jianzhong Wu, Takashi Matsumoto, Kazuyuki Doi, Hideshi Yasui, Atsushi Yoshimura, Yoshiyuki Yamagata
Summary: Postzygotic reproductive isolation is crucial for maintaining species integrity and contributes to speciation by restricting gene flow. The causal genes S22A and S22B on rice chromosome 2 were identified as Mendelian factors inducing pollen sterility in hybrids between japonica-type rice cultivar T65 and wild rice relative Oryza glumaepatula. The DUF1668-containing genes and loss-of-function mutations in these genes may lead to hybrid incompatibilities.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Min-Jung Kim, Byeong Wook Jeon, Eunkyoo Oh, Pil Joon Seo, Jungmook Kim
Summary: Signaling peptides bind to RLKs, inducing their dimerization with co-receptors for signaling activation to trigger cellular signaling and biological responses. Peptides are involved in cell-cell communication networks, coordinating plant growth and developmental processes.
TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jie Yu, Baoan Wang, Wenqi Fan, Songbo Fan, Ya Xu, Chunsheng Liu, Tianxing Lv, Wanda Liu, Ling Wu, Linfeng Xian, Tianzhong Li
Summary: The study showed that pollen tube polyamines respond to self-S-RNase and help defend against it, potentially providing a way to break self-incompatibility in apple by enhancing pollen tube tolerance.
Review
Horticulture
Ekaterina Zakharova, Marat R. Khaliluev, Lidia Kovaleva
Summary: Pollen-pistil interaction is a fundamental process in flowering plant reproductive biology and is regulated by hormones such as ethylene (ET) and cytokinin (CK). These hormones play a role in multiple stages of development and growth, including pollen adhesion, germination, and growth.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sara Herrera, Jorge Lora, Jose Hormaza, Javier Rodrigo
Summary: In recent years, there has been a significant renewal of apricot cultivars worldwide, with the introduction of many new varieties. This study focused on determining the pollination requirements of a group of new apricot cultivars by molecular identification of S-alleles. The results provide valuable information for apricot breeding programs, orchard design, and addressing fruit set issues in established orchards. The diversity observed at the S-locus suggests a possible genetic bottleneck in the breeding programs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hongtao Qin, Hang Li, Kumar Abhinandan, Baoru Xun, Kun Yao, Jiayuan Shi, Ruoxi Zhao, Mugeng Li, Ying Wu, Xingguo Lan
Summary: In Brassicaceae, the papillary cells of the stigma play a crucial role in the self-incompatibility response. Through transcriptomic analysis of stigma development, several candidate genes and pathways associated with self-incompatibility were identified, particularly those involved in flavonoid and fatty acid biosynthesis. Additionally, it was found that downregulation of the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway during stigma maturation may be essential for compatible pollination.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
I. Kiepiel, M. Brown, S. D. Johnson
Summary: This study investigated the pollination and breeding systems of a tree species called Schotia brachypetala in southern Africa, and found that opportunistic nectarivorous birds played an important role in seed production.
Article
Hematology
Phillip L. R. Nicolson, Sophie H. Nock, Joshua Hinds, Lourdes Garcia-Quintanilla, Christopher W. Smith, Joana Campos, Alexander Brill, Jeremy A. Pike, Abdullah O. Khan, Natalie S. Poulter, Deidre M. Kavanagh, Stephani Watson, Callum N. Watson, Hayley Clifford, Aarnoud P. Huissoon, Alice Y. Pollitt, Johannes A. Eble, Guy Pratt, Steve P. Watson, Craig E. Hughes
Summary: In this study, it was demonstrated that Btk inhibitors selectively block the activation of human platelets through CLEC-2 as opposed to GPVI, suggesting a potential therapeutic use at low doses in patients with thrombo-inflammatory diseases.
Article
Cell Biology
Jeremy A. Pike, Victoria A. Simms, Christopher W. Smith, Neil V. Morgan, Abdullah O. Khan, Natalie S. Poulter, Iain B. Styles, Steven G. Thomas
Summary: The assessment of platelet spreading and quantification through light microscopy is crucial for platelet biologists. The presented workflow uses image segmentation and machine learning to analyze a large number of cells efficiently. The method is freely available and implemented using open-source software.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Natalie J. Jooss, Natalie S. Poulter
Article
Hematology
Joanne C. Clark, Raluca A. I. Neagoe, Malou Zuidscherwoude, Deirdre M. Kavanagh, Alexandre Slater, Eleyna M. Martin, Mark Soave, David Stegner, Bernhard Nieswandt, Natalie S. Poulter, Johan Hummert, Dirk-Peter Herten, Michael G. Tomlinson, Stephen J. Hill, Steve P. Watson
Summary: The study found that GPVI is expressed as a mixture of monomers and dimers, and dimerization through the D2 domain is not critical for activation. Using FRET, it was shown that endogenous GPVI is expressed at least partially as a dimer on resting and activated platelet membranes.
THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chek Ziu Koo, Alexandra L. Matthews, Neale Harrison, Justyna Szyroka, Bernhard Nieswandt, Elizabeth E. Gardiner, Natalie S. Poulter, Michael G. Tomlinson
Summary: The interaction between Tspan15 and GPVI is crucial for the cleavage of GPVI and Tspan15 plays a more important role in this process. The extracellular region of Tspan15 is critical in promoting the cleavage of GPVI.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Zhaogong Zhi, Natalie J. Jooss, Yi Sun, Martina Colicchia, Alexandre Slater, Luis A. Moran, Hilaire Yam Fung Cheung, Ying Di, Julie Rayes, Natalie S. Poulter, Steve P. Watson, Asif J. Iqbal
Summary: In this study, Gal-9 was identified as a novel platelet agonist that induces activation through interaction with GPVI and CLEC-2.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Rachel J. Stapley, Natalie S. Poulter, Abdullah O. Khan, Christopher W. Smith, Patricia Bignell, Carl Fratter, Will Lester, Gillian Lowe, Neil Morgan
Summary: The study identified rare conserved missense variants in TPM4 gene in 3 patients, leading to platelet function defects. The research highlights the importance of including TPM4 in diagnostic genetic screening for patients with significant bleeding and undiagnosed platelet disorders.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raluca A. Neagoe, Elizabeth E. Gardiner, David Stegner, Bernhard Nieswandt, Steve P. Watson, Natalie S. Poulter
Summary: The study reveals the importance of Rac1 in the activation of human and murine platelets in response to GPVI ligands, although the mode of action differs between the two species.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Natalie J. Jooss, Christopher W. Smith, Alexandre Slater, Samantha J. Montague, Ying Di, Christopher O'Shea, Mark R. Thomas, Yvonne M. C. Henskens, Johan W. M. Heemskerk, Steve P. Watson, Natalie S. Poulter
Summary: This study emphasizes the critical difference in GPVI-mediated platelet activation by plaque and collagen, highlighting the importance of GPVI clustering for downstream signaling and thrombus formation. Labeled Nb28 is a novel tool for providing mechanistic insight into this process, and the data suggest Nb2 warrants further investigation as a potential anti-thrombotic agent.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ludi Wang, Zongcheng Lin, Jose Carli, Agnieszka Gladala-Kostarz, Julia M. Davies, Vernonica E. Franklin-Tong, Maurice Bosch
Summary: This study reveals that ATP depletion plays a crucial role in self-incompatibility (SI), leading to cytosolic acidification and formation of actin aggregates in pollen tubes. The findings provide evidence for the link between cellular energy status, cytosolic acidification, and alterations to the actin cytoskeleton in regulating SI in Papaver pollen tubes.
Article
Hematology
Joshua H. Bourne, Christopher W. Smith, Natalie J. Jooss, Ying Di, Helena C. Brown, Samantha J. Montague, Mark R. Thomas, Natalie S. Poulter, Julie Rayes, Steve P. Watson
Summary: C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC-2) is highly expressed on platelets and plays a critical role in lymphatic development. This study demonstrates that CLEC-2 supports thrombus formation at sites of inflammation without affecting hemostasis. It suggests that CLEC-2 could be a promising therapeutic target for thromboinflammatory disorders.
THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Christopher W. Smith, Maan H. Harbi, Lourdes Garcia-Quintanilla, Kieran Rookes, Helena Brown, Natalie S. Poulter, Steve P. Watson, Phillip L. R. Nicolson, Mark R. Thomas
Summary: LH34 potently inhibits atherosclerotic plaque-induced thrombus formation and procoagulant platelet activity in vitro with less off-target inhibition of Src than ibrutinib, suggesting it is a promising antiplatelet therapy with the potential for reduced bleeding side effects.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Zahra Maqsood, Joanne C. Clark, Eleyna M. Martin, Yam Fung Hilaire Cheung, Luis A. Moran, Sean E. T. Watson, Jeremy A. Pike, Ying Di, Natalie S. Poulter, Alexandre Slater, Bodo M. H. Lange, Bernhard Nieswandt, Johannes A. Eble, Mike G. Tomlinson, Dylan M. Owen, David Stegner, Lloyd J. Bridge, Christoph Wierling, Steve P. Watson
Summary: This study investigates the clustering of platelet glycoprotein receptors and their activation mechanisms. The authors developed computational models and evaluated them experimentally using various ligands in platelets and cell lines. They found that receptor clustering is driven by ligand valency, receptor phosphorylation, and cytosolic SH2 domain proteins. Moreover, they discovered that targeting multiple mechanisms can reduce drug concentration needed for inhibition, thus reducing side effects.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Foteini-Nafsika Damaskinaki, Natalie J. Jooss, Eleyna M. Martin, Joanne C. Clark, Mark R. Thomas, Natalie S. Poulter, Jonas Emsley, Barrie Kellam, Steve P. Watson, Alexandre Slater
Summary: This study investigates the binding sites of three high-affinity nanobodies, Nb2, Nb21, and Nb35, on the platelet-signaling receptor GPVI. The researchers found that all three nanobodies can bind to the D1 domain of GPVI and inhibit collagen-induced GPVI signaling. They also identified common target residues, Arg46, Tyr47, and Ala57, on GPVI for these nanobodies. Additionally, the study negates the idea that GPVI dimerization induces a conformational change required for ligand binding.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Natalie J. Jooss, Christopher W. Smith, Jeremy A. Pike, Richard W. Farndale, Yvonne M. C. Henskens, Steve P. Watson, Johan W. M. Heemskerk, Natalie S. Poulter
Summary: This study utilized labeled anti-GPVI nanobody Nb28 to assess the distribution of GPVI on platelets in whole blood microfluidics. The results supported a relationship between GPVI cluster formation, thrombus size, and PS exposure. Inhibition of GPVI binding disrupted cluster formation, while inhibition of downstream signaling prevented thrombus formation.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)