Role of anion channels in pollen grain germination

An important feature of male gametophyte is its ability to apical growth, which is based on structural and functional asymmetry of cytoplasm. Inorganic ions play a central role in triggering germination and organizing polar growth. The data on the participation of Ca2+, H+ and K+ in these processes are quite numerous; at the same time, the role of anions remained practically unexplored. The first part of the book is a review of the literature on ionic regulation of pollen grain germination and tube growth. The second part contains original data on the role of transmembrane transport of anions in these processes. Combination of inhibitor analysis with fluorescence microscopy allowed to reveal changes in membrane potential in space and time and to show participation of anion channels in regulation of this value and also in maintenance of polar organization of pollen tube cytoplasm. We also present data on anionic channels of mitochondria in the pollen tube. This book is intended for plant physiologists and embryologists, as well as anyone who is interested in the polar growth phenomenon, plasma and mitochondrial ion channels, and modern fluorescent methods.