Two cDNA libraries were constructed from microdissected 214 rice proembryos (2-3 d after pollination) and 121 just differentiating young embryos (3-5 d after pollination) respectively through RT_PCR technique. The primary libraries had a total of 3.7×10 6 phages for the proembryos and a total of 2.5×10 6 phages for the just differentiating young embryos, in which 96% of the phages were recombinants. Insert sizes ranging from 400 bp to 3?500 bp were obtained. All of the above mentioned accorded with the general requirements of cDNA library construction.
An in situ hybridization technique for localization of calmodulin(CaM) mRNA in isolated entire embryo sacs and proembryos in Nicotiana tabacum L.cv.W38 has been developed. This technique can be applied to small amounts of materials in which a whole view of CaM mRNA distribution can be obtained. The authors revealed that CaM mRNA expression changes dramatically before and after fertilization. Especially interesting is that a prominent CaM mRNA band appears between the egg apparatus and polar nuclei temporarily during the period of pollination and fertilization. The band disappears just prior to fertilization and expands to a fan_shaped region that occupies the micropylar portion of the embryo sac. After fertilization, CaM mRNA accumulates in the elongated zygotes with higher concentration in their chalazal portion than in the micropylar portion. Such an asymmetrical pattern continues to manifest in the early proembryos. It is supposed that CaM mRNA may be involved in the early events and signaling steps associated with double fertilization and zygote polarization in higher plants.
