Ebook: Pollen Biotechnology: Gene Expression and Allergen Characterization

The last decade has seen tremendous progress in our knowledge of the pollen development and gene expression on one hand and the characterization of pollen specific proteins on the other. In compiling the chapters for this volume, we have pragmatically categorized these basic developments in pollen molecular biology and biotechnology into two sections based on their applications in agricul­ ture and implications in medicine. Pollen developmental biology and gene expression: applications in agricul­ ture. Pollen development is an extremely complex process encompassing a series of biochemical, physiological and genetic events. At the basic level, sporophyt­ ically expressed genes may expound our knowledge of unique processes of cellular differentiation which ultimately give rise to a full-fledged organism. At the applied level, the studies on the pollen and male sporophyte-specific gene expression, and of promoters and transcription factors of relevant genes have the potential to manipulate the fertility in certain cash crops leading to agricultural biotechnology.

---

This book reflects the tremendous progress made over the last decade in the study of pollen biology. Organized pragmatically into two separate sections, Pollen Biotechnology: Gene Expression and Allergen Characterization provides an up-to-date and comprehensive examination of the molecular aspects of pollen development and of an array of pollen genes and proteins from agricultural and biomedical perspectives. The first section discusses the complex biochemical, physiological, and genetic events involved in the process of pollen development and includes chapters on male gametophyte development in plants, anther- and pollen-specific gene expressions in model plant systems, and the recent advances on studies of in vitro pollen cultures and related biotechnological aspects. The second half reviews advances in molecular characterization of several pollen specific proteins, referred to as allergens. Molecular cloning and over-expression of these allergens, as well as their structure-function relationships with emphasis on theraputic implications are discussed. A combination of the molecular aspects of pollen genes and proteins from agricultural and biomedical standpoints will cross-fertilize future research in both these fields and provide researchers and advanced level graduate students with a valuable and current reference.

---

This book reflects the tremendous progress made over the last decade in the study of pollen biology. Organized pragmatically into two separate sections, Pollen Biotechnology: Gene Expression and Allergen Characterization provides an up-to-date and comprehensive examination of the molecular aspects of pollen development and of an array of pollen genes and proteins from agricultural and biomedical perspectives. The first section discusses the complex biochemical, physiological, and genetic events involved in the process of pollen development and includes chapters on male gametophyte development in plants, anther- and pollen-specific gene expressions in model plant systems, and the recent advances on studies of in vitro pollen cultures and related biotechnological aspects. The second half reviews advances in molecular characterization of several pollen specific proteins, referred to as allergens. Molecular cloning and over-expression of these allergens, as well as their structure-function relationships with emphasis on theraputic implications are discussed. A combination of the molecular aspects of pollen genes and proteins from agricultural and biomedical standpoints will cross-fertilize future research in both these fields and provide researchers and advanced level graduate students with a valuable and current reference.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xv
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Molecular Biology of Male Gamete Development in Plants—An Overview....Pages 3-37
Anther-Specific Gene Expression in Brassica and Arabidopsis ....Pages 38-52
Anther- and Pollen-Specific Gene Expression in Sunflower....Pages 53-66
Gene Expression in Developing Maize Pollen....Pages 67-84
In Vitro Pollen Cultures: Progress and Perspectives....Pages 85-109
Front Matter....Pages 111-111
Molecular Characterization of Allergens of Kentucky Bluegrass Pollen....Pages 113-124
Molecular Characterization of Group I Allergens of Grass Pollen....Pages 125-143
Structure-Function Relationships of Allergens....Pages 144-163
Human T-Cell Responses to Grass Pollen Allergens....Pages 164-175
Molecular Characterization and Environmental Monitoring of Grass Pollen Allergens....Pages 176-210
Immunological Characterization of the Major Ragweed Allergens Amb a I and Amb a II....Pages 211-234
The Amb V Allergens from Ragweed....Pages 235-244
Characterization of a Dominant Epitope of the Major Allergens of Parietaria ....Pages 245-268
Profilin: A Novel Pan-Allergen and Actin-Binding Protein in Plants....Pages 269-278
Back Matter....Pages 279-288

---

This book reflects the tremendous progress made over the last decade in the study of pollen biology. Organized pragmatically into two separate sections, Pollen Biotechnology: Gene Expression and Allergen Characterization provides an up-to-date and comprehensive examination of the molecular aspects of pollen development and of an array of pollen genes and proteins from agricultural and biomedical perspectives. The first section discusses the complex biochemical, physiological, and genetic events involved in the process of pollen development and includes chapters on male gametophyte development in plants, anther- and pollen-specific gene expressions in model plant systems, and the recent advances on studies of in vitro pollen cultures and related biotechnological aspects. The second half reviews advances in molecular characterization of several pollen specific proteins, referred to as allergens. Molecular cloning and over-expression of these allergens, as well as their structure-function relationships with emphasis on theraputic implications are discussed. A combination of the molecular aspects of pollen genes and proteins from agricultural and biomedical standpoints will cross-fertilize future research in both these fields and provide researchers and advanced level graduate students with a valuable and current reference.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xv
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Molecular Biology of Male Gamete Development in Plants—An Overview....Pages 3-37
Anther-Specific Gene Expression in Brassica and Arabidopsis ....Pages 38-52
Anther- and Pollen-Specific Gene Expression in Sunflower....Pages 53-66
Gene Expression in Developing Maize Pollen....Pages 67-84
In Vitro Pollen Cultures: Progress and Perspectives....Pages 85-109
Front Matter....Pages 111-111
Molecular Characterization of Allergens of Kentucky Bluegrass Pollen....Pages 113-124
Molecular Characterization of Group I Allergens of Grass Pollen....Pages 125-143
Structure-Function Relationships of Allergens....Pages 144-163
Human T-Cell Responses to Grass Pollen Allergens....Pages 164-175
Molecular Characterization and Environmental Monitoring of Grass Pollen Allergens....Pages 176-210
Immunological Characterization of the Major Ragweed Allergens Amb a I and Amb a II....Pages 211-234
The Amb V Allergens from Ragweed....Pages 235-244
Characterization of a Dominant Epitope of the Major Allergens of Parietaria ....Pages 245-268
Profilin: A Novel Pan-Allergen and Actin-Binding Protein in Plants....Pages 269-278
Back Matter....Pages 279-288
....