Pollen Biotechnology: Gene Expression and Allergen Characterization [Paperback]

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.I Gene Expression.- 1. Molecular Biology of Male Gamete Development in PlantsAn Overview.- 2. Anther-Specific Gene Expression in Brassica and Arabidopsis.- 3. Anther- and Pollen-Specific Gene Expression in Sunflower.- 4. Gene Expression in Developing Maize Pollen.- 5. In Vitro Pollen Cultures: Progress and Perspectives.- II Allergen Characterization.- 6. Molecular Characterization of Allergens of Kentucky Bluegrass Pollen.- 7. Molecular Characterization of Group I Allergens of Grass Pollen.- 8. Structure-Function Relationships of Allergens.- 9. Human T-Cell Responses to Grass Pollen Allergens.- 10. Molecular Characterization and Environmental Monitoring of Grass Pollen Allergens.- 11. Immunological Characterization of the Major Ragweed Allergens Amb a I and Amb a II.- 12. The Amb V Allergens from Ragweed.- 13. Characterization of a Dominant Epitope of the Major Allergens of Parietaria.- 14. Profilin: A Novel lĂ