Male gametogenesis in angiosperms involves two rounds of mitosis that are essential for the generation of two sperm cells to achieve double fertilization, a distinct event in the sexual reproduction of flowering plants. Precise regulation of mitosis during male gametogenesis is critically important for the establishment of the male germline. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying mitotic ...

Abnormal mitosis occurs in maize tapetum, producing binucleate cells that later disintegrate, following a pattern of programmed cell death. FISH allowed us to observe chromosome nondisjunction and micronucleus formation in binucleate cells, using DNA probes specific to B chromosomes (B's), knobbed chromosomes, and the chromosome 6 (NOR) of maize. All chromosome types seem to be involved in micr...

Multiple copies of B chromosomes in maize (Zea mays) can accumulate in the genome using the B chromosome's accumulation mechanism, specifically nondisjunction at the second pollen mitosis and preferential fertilization of the egg. Using this mechanism, we accumulated 4 different-sized minichromosomes derived from the B chromosome to test the chromosome limits of the cell. The accumulation of no...

A method for the preparation of developmentally staged microspores and young pollen from maize (Zea mays) has been devised. The preparations are of sufficient purity and quantity for biochemical analysis, including the analysis of steady-state protein and RNA populations associated with each stage. A major transition in protein populations occurs during the developmental period that encompasses...

Most Japanese plum-type cultivars are self-incompatible and therefore cross pollination is necessary to ensure fruit set. Moreover, pollen can directly affect fruit development process and quality.  This study was carried out to investigate the effect of 6 pollen sources (‘Goje Sabz’, ‘Simka’, ‘Shablon’, ‘Methley’, ‘Myrobalan’ and ‘Black Star’) on  fruit quantitative and qualitative characteris...

The stem anatomy and pollen morphology of Iranian members of the genus Corydalis (except C. seisumsiana in pollen morphology) were studied using light and SEM microscopy. The results verified the argument that the tuberous sections of Corydalis, including Radix-cava, Corydalisand Leonticoides could be classified in a single subgenus as a natural grouping. The study also revealed that the specie...