Exocyst mutants suppress pollen tube growth and cell wall structural defects of hydroxyproline O-arabinosyltransferase mutants

Arabidopsis leucine-rich repeat malectin receptor-like kinases regulate pollen-stigma interactions

Flowering plants contain tightly controlled pollen-pistil interactions required for promoting intraspecific fertilization and preventing interspecific hybridizations. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), several receptor kinases (RKs) are known to regulate the later stages of intraspecific pollen tube growth and ovular reception in the pistil, but less is known about RK regulation of the earlier stages. The Arabidopsis RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE IN FLOWERS1 (RKF1)/RKF1-LIKE (RKFL) 1-3 cluster of 4 leucine-rich repeat malectin (LRR-MAL) RKs was previously found to function in the stigma to promote intraspecific pollen hydration. In this study, we tested additional combinations of up to 7 Arabidopsis LRR-MAL RK knockout mutants, including RKF1, RKFL1-3, LysM RLK1-INTERACTING KINASE1, REMORIN-INTERACTING RECEPTOR1, and NEMATODE-INDUCED LRR-RLK2. These LRR-MAL RKs were discovered to function in the female stigma to support intraspecific Arabidopsis pollen tube growth and to establish a prezygotic interspecific barrier against Capsella rubella pollen. Thus, this study uncovered additional biological functions for this poorly understood group of RKs in regulating the early stages of Arabidopsis sexual reproduction.

Phenotypic characterization and candidate gene analysis of a short kernel and brassinosteroid insensitive mutant from hexaploid oat (Avena sativa)

In an ethyl methanesulfonate oat (Avena sativa) mutant population we have found a mutant with striking differences to the wild-type (WT) cv. Belinda. We phenotyped the mutant and compared it to the WT. The mutant was crossed to the WT and mapping-by-sequencing was performed on a pool of F2 individuals sharing the mutant phenotype, and variants were called. The impacts of the variants on genes present in the reference genome annotation were estimated. The mutant allele frequency distribution was combined with expression data to identify which among the affected genes was likely to cause the observed phenotype. A brassinosteroid sensitivity assay was performed to validate one of the identified candidates. A literature search was performed to identify homologs of genes known to be involved in seed shape from other species. The mutant had short kernels, compact spikelets, altered plant architecture, and was found to be insensitive to brassinosteroids when compared to the WT. The segregation of WT and mutant phenotypes in the F2 population was indicative of a recessive mutation of a single locus. The causal mutation was found to be one of 123 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning the entire chromosome 3A, with further filtering narrowing this down to six candidate genes. In-depth analysis of these candidate genes and the brassinosteroid sensitivity assay suggest that a Pro303Leu substitution in AVESA.00010b.r2.3AG0419820.1 could be the causal mutation of the short kernel mutant phenotype. We identified 298 oat proteins belonging to orthogroups of previously published seed shape genes, with AVESA.00010b.r2.3AG0419820.1 being the only of these affected by a SNP in the mutant. The AVESA.00010b.r2.3AG0419820.1 candidate is functionally annotated as a GSK3/SHAGGY-like kinase with homologs in Arabidopsis, wheat, barley, rice, and maize, with several of these proteins having known mutants giving rise to brassinosteroid insensitivity and shorter seeds. The substitution in AVESA.00010b.r2.3AG0419820.1 affects a residue with a known gain-of function substitution in Arabidopsis BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE2. We propose a gain-of-function mutation in AVESA.00010b.r2.3AG0419820.1 as the most likely cause of the observed phenotype, and name the gene AsGSK2.1. The findings presented here provide potential targets for oat breeders, and a step on the way towards understanding brassinosteroid signaling, seed shape and nutrition in oats.

The Arabidopsis SNARE complex genes regulate the early stages of pollen-stigma interactions

KEY MESSAGE

The VAMP721, VAMP722, SYP121, SYP122 and SNAP33 SNAREs are required in the Arabidopsis stigma for pollen hydration, further supporting a role for vesicle trafficking in the stigma's pollen responses. In the Brassicaceae, the process of accepting compatible pollen is a key step in successful reproduction and highly regulated following interactions between the pollen and the stigma. Central to this is the initiation of secretion in the stigma, which is proposed to provide resources to the pollen for hydration and germination and pollen tube growth. Previously, the eight exocyst subunit genes were shown to be required in the Arabidopsis stigma to support these pollen responses. One of the roles of the exocyst is to tether secretory vesicles at the plasma membrane for membrane fusion by the SNARE complex to enable vesicle cargo release. Here, we investigate the role of Arabidopsis SNARE genes in the stigma for pollen responses. Using a combination of different knockout and knockdown SNARE mutant lines, we show that VAMP721, VAMP722, SYP121, SYP122 and SNAP33 are involved in this process. Significant disruptions in pollen hydration were observed following pollination of wildtype pollen on the mutant SNARE stigmas. Overall, these results place the Arabidopsis SNARE complex as a contributor in the stigma for pollen responses and reaffirm the significance of secretion in the stigma to support the pollen-stigma interactions.

Membrane microdomains: Structural and signaling platforms for establishing membrane polarity

Cell polarity results from the asymmetric distribution of cellular structures, molecules, and functions. Polarity is a fundamental cellular trait that can determine the orientation of cell division, the formation of particular cell shapes, and ultimately the development of a multicellular body. To maintain the distinct asymmetric distribution of proteins and lipids in cellular membranes, plant cells have developed complex trafficking and regulatory mechanisms. Major advances have been made in our understanding of how membrane microdomains influence the asymmetric distribution of proteins and lipids. In this review, we first give an overview of cell polarity. Next, we discuss current knowledge concerning membrane microdomains and their roles as structural and signaling platforms to establish and maintain membrane polarity, with a special focus on the asymmetric distribution of proteins and lipids, and advanced microscopy techniques to observe and characterize membrane microdomains. Finally, we review recent advances regarding membrane trafficking in cell polarity establishment and how the balance between exocytosis and endocytosis affects membrane polarity.

Protein O-glycosylation regulates diverse developmental and defense processes in plants

Post-translational modifications affect protein functions and play key roles in controlling biological processes. Plants have unique types of O-glycosylation that are different from those of animals and prokaryotes, and they play roles in modulating the functions of secretory proteins and nucleocytoplasmic proteins by regulating transcription and mediating localization and degradation. O-glycosylation is complex because of the dozens of different O-glycan types, the widespread existence of hydroxyproline (Hyp), serine (Ser), and threonine (Thr) residues in proteins attached by O-glycans, and the variable modes of linkages connecting the sugars. O-glycosylation specifically affects development and environmental acclimatization by affecting diverse physiological processes. This review describes recent studies on the detection and functioning of protein O-glycosylation in plants, and provides a framework for the O-glycosylation network that underlies plant development and resistance.

The hydroxyproline O-arabinosyltransferase FIN4 is required for tomato pollen intine development

The pollen grain cell wall is a highly specialized structure composed of distinct layers formed through complex developmental pathways. The production of the innermost intine layer, composed of cellulose, pectin and other polymers, is particularly poorly understood. Here we demonstrate an important and specific role for the hydroxyproline O-arabinosyltransferase (HPAT) FIN4 in tomato intine development. HPATs are plant-specific enzymes which initiate glycosylation of certain cell wall structural proteins and signaling peptides. FIN4 was expressed throughout pollen development in both the developing pollen and surrounding tapetal cells. A fin4 mutant with a partial deletion of the catalytic domain displayed significantly reduced male fertility in vivo and compromised pollen hydration and germination in vitro. However, fin4 pollen that successfully germinated formed morphologically normal pollen tubes with the same growth rate as the wild-type pollen. When we examined mature fin4 pollen, we found they were cytologically normal, and formed morphologically normal exine, but produced significantly thinner intine. During intine deposition at the late stages of pollen development we found fin4 pollen had altered polymer deposition, including reduced cellulose and increased detection of pectin, specifically homogalacturonan with both low and high degrees of methylesterification. Therefore, FIN4 plays an important role in intine formation and, in turn pollen hydration and germination and the process of intine formation involves dynamic changes in the developing pollen cell wall.

The triticale mature pollen and stigma proteomes - assembling the proteins for a productive encounter

Triticeae crops are major contributors to global food production and ensuring their capacity to reproduce and generate seeds is critical. However, despite their importance our knowledge of the proteins underlying Triticeae reproduction is severely lacking and this is not only true of pollen and stigma development, but also of their pivotal interaction. When the pollen grain and stigma are brought together they have each accumulated the proteins required for their intended meeting and accordingly studying their mature proteomes is bound to reveal proteins involved in their diverse and complex interactions. Using triticale as a Triticeae representative, gel-free shotgun proteomics was used to identify 11,533 and 2977 mature stigma and pollen proteins respectively. These datasets, by far the largest to date, provide unprecedented insights into the proteins participating in Triticeae pollen and stigma development and interactions. The study of the Triticeae stigma has been particularly neglected. To begin filling this knowledge gap, a developmental iTRAQ analysis was performed revealing 647 proteins displaying differential abundance as the stigma matures in preparation for pollination. An in-depth comparison to an equivalent Brassicaceae analysis divulged both conservation and diversification in the makeup and function of proteins involved in the pollen and stigma encounter. SIGNIFICANCE: Successful pollination brings together the mature pollen and stigma thus initiating an intricate series of molecular processes vital to crop reproduction. In the Triticeae crops (e.g. wheat, barley, rye, triticale) there persists a vast deficit in our knowledge of the proteins involved which needs to be addressed if we are to face the many upcoming challenges to crop production such as those associated with climate change. At maturity, both the pollen and stigma have acquired the protein complement necessary for their forthcoming encounter and investigating their proteomes will inevitably provide unprecedented insights into the proteins enabling their interactions. By combining the analysis of the most comprehensive Triticeae pollen and stigma global proteome datasets to date with developmental iTRAQ investigations, proteins implicated in the different phases of pollen-stigma interaction enabling pollen adhesion, recognition, hydration, germination and tube growth, as well as those underlying stigma development were revealed. Extensive comparisons between equivalent Triticeae and Brassiceae datasets highlighted both the conservation of biological processes in line with the shared goal of activating the pollen grain and promoting pollen tube invasion of the pistil to effect fertilization, as well as the significant distinctions in their proteomes consistent with the considerable differences in their biochemistry, physiology and morphology.

O-glycosylation of the extracellular domain of pollen class I formins modulates their plasma membrane mobility

In plant cells, linkage between the cytoskeleton, plasma membrane, and cell wall is crucial for maintaining cell shape. In highly polarized pollen tubes, this coordination is especially important to allow rapid tip growth and successful fertilization. Class I formins contain cytoplasmic actin-nucleating formin homology domains as well as a proline-rich extracellular domain and are candidate coordination factors. Here, using Arabidopsis, we investigated the functional significance of the extracellular domain of two pollen-expressed class I formins: AtFH3, which does not have a polar localization, and AtFH5, which is limited to the growing tip region. We show that the extracellular domain of both is necessary for their function, and identify distinct O-glycans attached to these sequences, AtFH5 being hydroxyproline-arabinosylated and AtFH3 carrying arabinogalactan chains. Loss of hydroxyproline arabinosylation altered the plasma membrane localization of AtFH5 and disrupted actin cytoskeleton organization. Moreover, we show that O-glycans differentially affect lateral mobility in the plasma membrane. Together, our results support a model of protein sub-functionalization in which AtFH5 and AtFH3, restricted to specific plasma membrane domains by their extracellular domains and the glycans attached to them, organize distinct subarrays of actin during pollen tube elongation.

Hydroxyproline-O-Galactosyltransferases Synthesizing Type II Arabinogalactans Are Essential for Male Gametophytic Development in Arabidopsis

In flowering plants, male reproductive function is determined by successful development and performance of stamens, pollen grains, and pollen tubes. Despite the crucial role of highly glycosylated arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs) in male gamete formation, pollen grain, and pollen tube cell walls, the underlying mechanisms defining these functions of AGPs have remained elusive. Eight partially redundant Hyp-galactosyltransferases (named GALT2-GALT9) genes/enzymes are known to initiate Hyp-O-galactosylation for Hyp-arabinogalactan (AG) production in Arabidopsis thaliana. To assess the contributions of these Hyp-AGs to male reproductive function, we used a galt2galt5galt7galt8galt9 quintuple Hyp-GALT mutant for this study. Both anther size and pollen viability were compromised in the quintuple mutants. Defects in male gametogenesis were observed in later stages of maturing microspores after meiosis, accompanied by membrane blebbing and numerous lytic vacuoles. Cytological and ultramicroscopic observations revealed that pollen exine reticulate architecture and intine layer development were affected such that non-viable collapsed mature pollen grains were produced, which were devoid of cell content and nuclei, with virtually no intine. AGP immunolabeling demonstrated alterations in cell wall architecture of the anther, pollen grains, and pollen tube. Specifically, the LM2 monoclonal antibody (which recognized β-GlcA epitopes on AGPs) showed a weak signal for the endothecium, microspores, and pollen tube apex. Pollen tube tips also displayed excessive callose deposition. Interestingly, expression patterns of pollen-specific AGPs, namely AGP6, AGP11, AGP23, and AGP40, were determined to be higher in the quintuple mutants. Taken together, our data illustrate the importance of type-II AGs in male reproductive function for successful fertilization.

Let's shape again: the concerted molecular action that builds the pollen tube

The pollen tube is being subjected to control by a complex network of communication that regulates its shape and the misfunction of a single component causes specific deformations. In flowering plants, the pollen tube is a tubular extension of the pollen grain required for successful sexual reproduction. Indeed, maintaining the unique shape of the pollen tube is essential for the pollen tube to approach the embryo sac. Many processes and molecules (such as GTPase activity, phosphoinositides, Ca²⁺ gradient, distribution of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide, nonuniform pH values, organization of the cytoskeleton, balance between exocytosis and endocytosis, and cell wall structure) play key and coordinated roles in maintaining the cylindrical shape of pollen tubes. In addition, the above factors must also interact with each other so that the cell shape is maintained while the pollen tube follows chemical signals in the pistil that guide it to the embryo sac. Any intrinsic changes (such as erroneous signals) or extrinsic changes (such as environmental stresses) can affect the above factors and thus fertilization by altering the tube morphology. In this review, the processes and molecules that enable the development and maintenance of the unique shape of pollen tubes in angiosperms are presented emphasizing their interaction with specific tube shape. Thus, the purpose of the review is to investigate whether specific deformations in pollen tubes can help us to better understand the mechanism underlying pollen tube shape.

SEC1A is a major Arabidopsis Sec1/Munc18 gene in vesicle trafficking during pollen tube tip growth

Pollen tubes (PTs) grow by the targeted secretion of new cell wall material to their expanding tip region. Sec1/Munc18 (SM) proteins promote membrane fusion through regulation of the SNARE complex. We have previously shown that disruption of protein glycosylation in the Arabidopsis thaliana hpat1 hpat3 double mutant leads to PT growth defects that can be suppressed by reducing secretion. Here, we identified five point mutant alleles of the SM protein SEC1A as hpat1/3 suppressors. The suppressors increased seed set, reduced PT growth defects and reduced the rate of glycoprotein secretion. In the absence of the hpat mutations, sec1a reduced pollen germination and PT elongation producing shorter and wider PTs. Consistent with a defect in membrane fusion, sec1a PTs accumulated secretory vesicles. Though sec1a had significantly reduced male transmission, homozygous sec1a plants maintained full seed set, demonstrating that SEC1A was ultimately dispensable for pollen fertility. However, when combined with a mutation in another SEC1-like SM gene, keule, pollen fertility was totally abolished. Mutation in sec1b, the final member of the Arabidopsis SEC1 clade, did not enhance the sec1a phenotype. Thus, SEC1A is the major SM protein promoting pollen germination and tube elongation, but in its absence KEULE can partially supply this activity. When we examined the expression of the SM protein family in other species for which pollen expression data were available, we found that at least one Sec1-like protein was highly expressed in pollen samples, suggesting a conserved role in pollen fertility in other species.

Autophagy is required for self-incompatible pollen rejection in two transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana accessions

Successful reproduction in the Brassicaceae is mediated by a complex series of interactions between the pollen and the pistil, and some species have an additional layer of regulation with the self-incompatibility trait. While the initial activation of the self-incompatibility pathway by the pollen S-locus protein 11/S locus cysteine-rich protein and the stigma S Receptor Kinase is well characterized, the downstream mechanisms causing self-pollen rejection are still not fully understood. In previous studies, we detected the presence of autophagic bodies with self-incompatible (SI) pollinations in Arabidopsis lyrata and transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana lines, but whether autophagy was essential for self-pollen rejection was unknown. Here, we investigated the requirement of autophagy in this response by crossing mutations in the essential AUTOPHAGY7 (ATG7) and ATG5 genes into two different transgenic SI A. thaliana lines in the Col-0 and C24 accessions. By using these previously characterized transgenic lines that express A. lyrata and Arabidopsis halleri self-incompatibility genes, we demonstrated that disrupting autophagy weakened their SI responses in the stigma. When the atg7 or atg5 mutations were present, an increased number of SI pollen was found to hydrate and form pollen tubes that successfully fertilized the SI pistils. Additionally, we confirmed the presence of GFP-ATG8a-labeled autophagosomes in the stigmatic papillae following SI pollinations. Together, these findings support the requirement of autophagy in the self-incompatibility response and add to the growing understanding of the intracellular mechanisms employed in the transgenic A. thaliana stigmas to reject self-pollen.

Functional Specialization within the EXO70 Gene Family in Arabidopsis

Localized delivery of plasma-membrane and cell-wall components is a crucial process for plant cell growth. One of the regulators of secretory-vesicle targeting is the exocyst tethering complex. The exocyst mediates first interaction between transport vesicles and the target membrane before their fusion is performed by SNARE proteins. In land plants, genes encoding the EXO70 exocyst subunit underwent an extreme proliferation with 23 paralogs present in the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome. These paralogs often acquired specialized functions during evolution. Here, we analyzed functional divergence of selected EXO70 paralogs in Arabidopsis. Performing a systematic cross-complementation analysis of exo70a1 and exo70b1 mutants, we found that EXO70A1 was functionally substituted only by its closest paralog, EXO70A2. In contrast, none of the EXO70 isoforms tested were able to substitute EXO70B1, including its closest relative, EXO70B2, pointing to a unique function of this isoform. The presented results document a high degree of functional specialization within the EXO70 gene family in land plants.

The resistance associated protein RIN4 promotes the extracellular transport of AtEXO70E2

RIN4 is an important immunomodulator in Arabidopsis, which is targeted by multiple pathogenic effectors, and consequently guarded by different immune receptors. Although RIN4 plays a significant role in plant immunity, its molecular function is not fully understood. We found that RIN4 interacts with the exocyst subunit EXO70E2. Transiently expressed RIN4 can recruits EXO70E2 vesicles to the plasma membrane, and promote the transport of the vesicles to the extracellular matrix. RIN4 also can decrease the protein level of EXO70E2. Base on the fact that EXO70 proteins positively mediates plant immunity, the function of RIN4 is to promote the extracellular export of defense related vesicles. Pathogens will secret effectors to modify or cleavage it to interfere this exocytosis.

Extensins: Self-Assembly, Crosslinking, and the Role of Peroxidases

The extensin (EXT) network is elaborated by the covalent intermolecular crosslinking of EXT glycoprotein monomers, and its proper assembly is important for numerous aspects of basic wall architecture and cellular defense. In this review, we discuss new advances in the secretion of EXT monomers and the molecular drivers of EXT network self-assembly. Many of the functions of EXTs are conferred through covalent crosslinking into the wall, so we also discuss the different types of known intermolecular crosslinks, the enzymes that are involved, as well as the potential for additional crosslinks that are yet to be identified. EXTs also function in wall architecture independent of crosslinking status, and therefore, we explore the role of non-crosslinking EXTs. As EXT crosslinking is upregulated in response to wounding and pathogen infection, we discuss a potential regulatory mechanism to control covalent crosslinking and its relationship to the subcellular localization of the crosslinking enzymes.

A Golgi-localized manganese transporter functions in pollen tube tip growth to control male fertility in Arabidopsis

Manganese (Mn) serves as an essential cofactor for many enzymes in various compartments of a plant cell. Allocation of Mn among various organelles thus plays a central role in Mn homeostasis to support metabolic processes. We report the identification of a Golgi-localized Mn transporter (named PML3) that is essential for rapid cell elongation in young tissues such as emerging leaves and the pollen tube. In particular, the pollen tube defect in the pml3 loss-of-function mutant caused severe reduction in seed yield, a critical agronomic trait. Further analysis suggested that a loss of pectin deposition in the pollen tube might cause the pollen tube to burst and slow its elongation, leading to decreased male fertility. As the Golgi apparatus serves as the major hub for biosynthesis and modification of cell-wall components, PML3 may function in Mn homeostasis of this organelle, thereby controlling metabolic and/or trafficking processes required for pectin deposition in rapidly elongating cells.

Extensin, an underestimated key component of cell wall defence?

BACKGROUND

Extensins are plant cell wall hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins known to be involved in cell wall reinforcement in higher plants, and in defence against pathogen attacks. The ability of extensins to form intra- and intermolecular cross-links is directly related to their role in cell wall reinforcement. Formation of such cross-links requires appropriate glycosylation and structural conformation of the glycoprotein.

SCOPE

Although the role of cell wall components in plant defence has drawn increasing interest over recent years, relatively little focus has been dedicated to extensins. Nevertheless, new insights were recently provided regarding the structure and the role of extensins and their glycosylation in plant-microbe interactions, stimulating an interesting debate from fellow cell wall community experts. We have previously revealed a distinct distribution of extensin epitopes in Arabidopsis thaliana wild-type roots and in mutants impaired in extensin arabinosylation, in response to elicitation with flagellin 22. That study was recently debated in a Commentary by Tan and Mort (Tan L, Mort A. 2020. Extensins at the front line of plant defence. A commentary on: 'Extensin arabinosylation is involved in root response to elicitors and limits oomycete colonization'. Annals of Botany 125: vii-viii) and several points regarding our results were discussed. As a response, we herein clarify the points raised by Tan and Mort, and update the possible epitope structure recognized by the anti-extensin monoclonal antibodies. We also provide additional data showing differential distribution of LM1 extensin epitopes in roots between a mutant defective in PEROXIDASES 33 and 34 and the wild type, similarly to previous observations from the rra2 mutant defective in extensin arabinosylation. We propose these two peroxidases as potential candidates to specifically catalyse the cross-linking of extensins within the cell wall.

CONCLUSIONS

Extensins play a major role within the cell wall to ensure root protection. The cross-linking of extensins, which requires correct glycosylation and specific peroxidases, is most likely to result in modulation of cell wall architecture that allows enhanced protection of root cells against invading pathogens. Study of the relationship between extensin glycosylation and their cross-linking is a very promising approach to further understand how the cell wall influences root immunity.

Plant Protein O-Arabinosylation

A wide range of proteins with diverse functions in development, defense, and stress responses are O-arabinosylated at hydroxyprolines (Hyps) within distinct amino acid motifs of continuous stretches of Hyps, as found in the structural cell wall extensins, or at non-continuous Hyps as, for example, found in small peptide hormones and a variety of plasma membrane proteins involved in signaling. Plant O-glycosylation relies on hydroxylation of Prolines to Hyps in the protein backbone, mediated by prolyl-4-hydroxylase (P4H) which is followed by O-glycosylation of the Hyp C₄-OH group by either galactosyltransferases (GalTs) or arabinofuranosyltranferases (ArafTs) yielding either Hyp-galactosylation or Hyp-arabinosylation. A subset of the P4H enzymes with putative preference to hydroxylation of continuous prolines and presumably all ArafT enzymes needed for synthesis of the substituted arabinose chains of one to four arabinose units, have been identified and functionally characterized. Truncated root-hair phenotype is one common denominator of mutants of Hyp formation and Hyp-arabinosylation glycogenes, which act on diverse groups of O-glycosylated proteins, e.g., the small peptide hormones and cell wall extensins. Dissection of different substrate derived effects may not be regularly feasible and thus complicate translation from genotype to phenotype. Recently, lack of proper arabinosylation on arabinosylated proteins has been shown to influence their transport/fate in the secretory pathway, hinting to an additional layer of functionality of O-arabinosylation. Here, we provide an update on the prevalence and types of O-arabinosylated proteins and the enzymatic machinery responsible for their modifications.

Regulation of Exocyst Function in Pollen Tube Growth by Phosphorylation of Exocyst Subunit EXO70C2

Exocyst is a heterooctameric protein complex crucial for the tethering of secretory vesicles to the plasma membrane during exocytosis. Compared to other eukaryotes, exocyst subunit EXO70 is represented by many isoforms in land plants whose cell biological and biological roles, as well as modes of regulation remain largely unknown. Here, we present data on the phospho-regulation of exocyst isoform EXO70C2, which we previously identified as a putative negative regulator of exocyst function in pollen tube growth. A comprehensive phosphoproteomic analysis revealed phosphorylation of EXO70C2 at multiple sites. We have now performed localization and functional studies of phospho-dead and phospho-mimetic variants of Arabidopsis EXO70C2 in transiently transformed tobacco pollen tubes and stably transformed Arabidopsis wild type and exo70C2 mutant plants. Our data reveal a dose-dependent effect of AtEXO70C2 overexpression on pollen tube growth rate and cellular architecture. We show that changes of the AtEXO70C2 phosphorylation status lead to distinct outcomes in wild type and exo70c2 mutant cells, suggesting a complex regulatory pattern. On the other side, phosphorylation does not affect the cytoplasmic localization of AtEXO70C2 or its interaction with putative secretion inhibitor ROH1 in the yeast two-hybrid system.

EXO70A2 Is Critical for Exocyst Complex Function in Pollen Development

Pollen development, pollen grain germination, and pollen tube elongation are crucial biological processes in angiosperm plants that need precise regulation to deliver sperm cells to ovules for fertilization. Highly polarized secretion at a growing pollen tube tip requires the exocyst tethering complex responsible for specific targeting of secretory vesicles to the plasma membrane. Here, we demonstrate that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) EXO70A2 (At5g52340) is the main exocyst EXO70 isoform in the male gametophyte, governing the conventional secretory function of the exocyst, analogous to EXO70A1 (At5g03540) in the sporophyte. Our analysis of a CRISPR-generated exo70a2 mutant revealed that EXO70A2 is essential for efficient pollen maturation, pollen grain germination, and pollen tube growth. GFP:EXO70A2 was localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm in developing pollen grains and later to the apical domain in growing pollen tube tips characterized by intensive exocytosis. Moreover, EXO70A2 could substitute for EXO70A1 function in the sporophyte, but not vice versa, indicating partial functional redundancy of these two closely related isoforms and higher specificity of EXO70A2 for pollen development-related processes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the ancient duplication of EXO70A, one of which is always highly expressed in pollen, occurred independently in monocots and dicots. In summary, EXO70A2 is a crucial component of the exocyst complex in Arabidopsis pollen that is required for efficient plant sexual reproduction.