3.2 The tissue appearance in normal anthers under confocal
microscopy
Timeline was used to differentiate the locule of anthers spanning 32-day
period from primordium to pollen grain. The appearance and division of
locular cells were gritty, and key actions were listed in Figure2 and shown morphology of important cell types in confocal
images ( Figure 2A-I). At least 60 anthers of each cell
type were analyzed. The anthers smaller than 100 µm, no AR cells were
seen; instead L2 layer in every locule was present arranged in a
disorganized manner. After AR cells specification, ready for mitosis to
produce the somatic (EN and SPL) and reproductive (PMC) cells. In 100 µm
anthers, AR cells were clearly visible and present in the centre of
locule (Figure 2A ). After the formation of AR cells, the
somatic tissues become ready to pattern. According to our results AR
cells differentiate to EN, SPL and PMC cells in 310 µm long anthers
(Figure 2B ). According to linkage model, EN cells differentiate
with SPL, which differentiate into ML and TA cells. Indeed, in 310 to
580 µm anthers, the four cells were differentiated clearly, which are
named as the EPI, SPL, EN and PMC cells (Figure 2B-E ). At 580
µm, EN cells remain oval, while at 380 µm SPL showed round, and at 370
µm PMC cells has round like structures, indicative that these three have
developed different identities (Figure 2C-E) . PMC cells
undergoes meiosis and produce the tetrads cells (Tds) (Figure2F-G ). Additionally, the Tds cells generates the young MP cells
(Figure 2H ). The MP raise larger and more spherical, and
changed into PG. In the last stage, PG filled with the starch and
released out by opening the stomium (Figure 2I ).