Protein features: Contains a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor signal, characteristic of cell-wall-localized AGPs .
Tissue specificity:
Table 1: AGP25 Expression Patterns
Tissue/Organ | Expression Level | Developmental Stage | Technique Used |
---|---|---|---|
Pistil septum | High | Pre-fertilization | Promoter-GUS fusion |
Ovules | Moderate | Stages 11–15/16 | qPCR, immunolocalization |
Funiculus | Moderate-High | Post-fertilization | β-Yariv reagent assay |
Pollen grains | Absent | All stages | RNA-seq, RT-PCR |
Nutrient signaling: AGP25 localizes to chalaza and funiculus, suggesting involvement in nutrient transfer between maternal tissues and developing embryos .
Pollen tube guidance: Co-expressed with genes like SAH7 and WLIM2A, which regulate cytoskeletal dynamics during pollen tube growth .
Fertilization regulation: AGP25 interacts with β-1,3-galactan chains, potentially modulating cell-wall mechanics during pollen tube reception .
Promoter analysis: The AGP25 promoter (~3 kb upstream) drives GUS expression in ovules and funiculus, regulated by auxin-responsive elements .
Co-expression networks: AGP25 clusters with genes involved in cell-wall remodeling (e.g., EXPANSIN A7) and nutrient transporters (e.g., SUCROSE-PROTON SYMPORTER 2) .
Sequence homology: Shares 60–70% amino acid similarity with AGP26 and AGP27, but divergent expression patterns .
Functional redundancy: Triple mutants (agp25/26/27) exhibit reduced seed set, suggesting partial redundancy in reproductive roles .
Antibody specificity: No AGP25-specific monoclonal antibody has been validated, limiting mechanistic studies.
In vivo binding partners: Unresolved interactions with pectins or signaling receptors in the extracellular matrix.
Biotechnological potential: AGP25 overexpression could enhance nutrient allocation in seeds, relevant for crop improvement .