Characterising the molecular-physiological basis of pollen abortion upon prolonged high temperature stress.

We compared the transcriptomic response of polarized microspore stage tomato anthers to long-term mild heat (LTMH-) stress of wild-type and three lines that display increased pollen thermo-tolerance. Our results indicated distinct differences between the thermo-tolerant lines and wild-type, suggesting a dampened response to LTMH in the tolerant lines than in wild-type. mRNA profiles of polarized microspore stage tomato anthers of wild-type, Never ripe mutant, 35S::nahG and 35S::asCCD7 transgenic lines after exposure to long-term mild heat stress