Transcriptome profiling of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) pollen and anther

Pollen development and germination play a crucial role in the sexual reproduction of plants. This study analysis of transcriptional dynamics of foxtail millet pollen with other tissues and organs (ovule, glume, seedling and root) through RNA-sequencing revealed that a total of 940 genes were up-regulated in foxtail millet pollen. Based on this, we analyzed the genes involved in pollen tube growth of receptor kinases and small peptides, calcium signaling, small G proteins, vesicle transport, cytoskeleton, cell wall correlation, and transcription factors that are up-regulated in pollen. At the same time, we compared the gene expression of foxtail millet pollen and mature anthers, and found that a large number of transcription factors were specific expressed in mature anthers. In addition, we verified the accuracy of the transcriptome data using RT-qPCR. Finally, employed the antisense Oligonucleotide (as-ODN) system found that inhibiting SiPME67 expression would cause abnormal growth of pollen tube subapical. In summary, we preliminarily analyzed the genes that were up-regulated in foxtail millet pollen, which provided a reference for understanding the male sterility mechanism of foxtail millet in the future and theoretical basis for creating new male sterility lines.

花粉发育与萌发对植物有性生殖至关重要。本研究通过RNA测序（RNA-sequencing）分析了谷子花粉与其他组织器官（胚珠、颖壳、幼苗及根系）的转录动态，共鉴定出940个在谷子花粉中上调表达的基因。基于此，本研究对花粉中上调表达的、参与花粉管生长过程的受体激酶与小肽、钙信号通路、小G蛋白、囊泡运输、细胞骨架、细胞壁相关基因以及转录因子进行了分析。与此同时，本研究对比了谷子花粉与成熟花药的基因表达谱，发现大量转录因子在成熟花药中特异性表达。此外，本研究通过实时定量聚合酶链反应（RT-qPCR）验证了转录组数据的准确性。最后，本研究利用反义寡核苷酸（antisense Oligonucleotide，as-ODN）体系开展实验，发现抑制SiPME67的表达会导致花粉管亚顶端生长异常。综上，本研究初步解析了谷子花粉中上调表达的基因，为后续解析谷子雄性不育机制以及创制新型雄性不育系提供了参考依据与理论基础。