PbrPCCP1 mediates the PbrTTS1 signaling to control pollen tube growth in pear

In plants, genes containing the C2 domain have been identified and play a crucial role in many key physiological processes. One hundred and sixty-six genes containing a C2 domain were identified in pear and 38 genes contained multiple C2 domains. Whole genome duplication and tandem duplication events were the major forces driving the C2 superfamily expansion, and C2 superfamily members have evolved under negative selection. There were 104 C2 genes expressed during pollen tube growth. Here, we identified Pbr028378.1 containing the C2 domain from pear and named it PbrPCCP1. PbrPCCP1 was localized in the plasma membrane and mainly expressed in pollen. PbrPCCP1 interacted with PbrTTS1, which contained a Cys-rich C-terminal domain, and promoted pollen tube growth. The Pollen ole e I domain of PbrTTS1 was responsible for its interaction. Additionally, pollen tube growth was inhibited and the promoting effect of PbrTTS1 was attenuated when PbrPCCP1 expression level was knocked-down by antisense oligonucleotides. The qRT-PCR results indicated that PbrPCCP1 and PbrTTS1 expression levels were consistently present in the style after pollination, and their expression levels were up-regulated within 24 h. This implied that they could co-regulate pollen tube growth when the pollen tube grew in the pistil.